In the month of September 2018, the OVFC responded to 58 calls. Volunteers attended the Orange County Street Festival in September.

October – is fire prevention month. As part of fire prevention and safety we would like to discuss a few items for home fire protection. Your first defense against home fires are smoke detectors. They should be installed in every bedroom, outside of every sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. In addition to smoke detectors, ensure your house number is posted in clear view of the road, visible day and night, and at least 4 inches in height with a contrasting background, so emergency responders can easily locate your house. All families should plan and practice an escape route from their home in case of fire. When planning an escape route, there are a few things to keep in mind; designate a meeting place outside of your home and know how to call 911 from outside of your home. Next, know 2 ways out of every room and ensure those exits remain clear. If elderly or young children live in your home, make sure they are safely able to escape. If they may require assistance, include this in your escape plan and practice. Children under the age of 4 are at a higher risk of home fire injury than older children. If children live in your home, ensure they know the sound of a smoke alarm. Be aware that children may sleep through the sound of smoke alarms and prepare appropriately. In case of individuals who require special equipment, such as wheel chairs, hearing aids, and eye glasses, always keep those items near the bed. You could have less than three minutes to escape a house fire. Every second counts and an escape plan is vital!

We would like to thank all of the teams who participated in our Golf Tournament.

Don’t forget, when you change your clocks on November 4, don’t forget to also change your smoke detector batteries!

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