The Holidays Are Here! 
Are Your Smoke Detectors Working?
CAL FIRE Station 15 is hosting a community program to increase the number of functioning smoke detectors in Los Osos. These programs are going to take place December 14 at Daisy Hill, December 17 at Sea Oaks, and Dec 19 at Sunny Oaks mobile home parks. Sign up sheets will be located either at managers office or on bulletin board for your convenience.

Station 15 Public Education
Station 15 has participated in MANY public education programs as of late. Pictures below are of our Open House and of our multiple station tours.

Hey Kids! Like to Color?
Download and print out our Emergency Preparedness Coloring Book [pdf:523k/12pp] and learn to prepare for different types of emergencies and get important safety tips.

More Fun Links!

Visit Sparky the Fire Dog’s website where you can find cool things to do, learn about the different parts of a fire truck, and learn the story of Sparky himself!

It’s Smokey Bear! Visit Smokey Bear's Website where you can play campfire games, learn bear facts, choose from lots of pictures to color and even join the Smokey Bear Club. Remember, only you can prevent wildfires!

You may also order fire safety education materials at: www.nfpa.org/catalog: On the catalog index menu bar, select "Fire Safety Education" to preview materials and see costs.

Care and Comfort of Our Citizens’ Children
Whenever we respond to incidents involving small children, we are able to ease the situation with stuffed animals carried in our medical bags. This really works! The children usually become much calmer, which allows us to get closer to them during our evaluations without further upsetting them. We also give stuffed animals to children when we are helping a parent experiencing a medical emergency. It is scary for a child to see 4 to 5 people (including firefighters, paramedics and ambulance staff) crowding around their parent and touching them, taking blood pressures, starting intravenous medication, securing an oxygen mask, and affixing wires to the chest for the heart monitor.

Emergencies can be emotionally traumatic events for children. Stuffed animals are a great tool to help establish communications with children, distract their attention, and make a comforting connection in a bad circumstance.

HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY
The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due to heating equipment.

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.

• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays for guests who smoke and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.

• After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trashcans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). When smokers visit your home, ask that they keep smoking materials with them.

CLICK for video of Christmas tree fire

Last year Christmas trees were the first item ignited in over 300 home fires, resulting in 11 injuries and $8 million in direct property damage.

The leading cause of Christmas tree fires and property damage was short circuit or ground fault (21%). In this category, electrical failure other than short circuit ranked second in number of fires, injuries and property damage with the exception of the "other known" category.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cords and plugs were the leading type of equipment involved in the ignition of Christmas trees.

Safety points to remember:

• Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.

• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches.

• Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.

• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.

• Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances.

• Do not place the tree where it may block exits.

• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.

Candle Fire Safety
December is the peak month for candle fires, with nearly twice the average number of incidents. 44% of reported candle fires in the home started in the bedroom.