Congratulations and Thank You!

Representing over 200 years of committed service, eight employees will be bidding farewell to the Apple Valley Fire Protection District in 2010. The Fire District will be honoring our friends and co-workers at a Retirement Celebration on July 23, 2010.

Please join us in thanking and congratulating these valued and dedicated individuals who have served and given so much to our community.

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

Now is the perfect time to make sure the area around your residence is clean and ready for the upcoming fire season. It’s not a question of if, but when, the next wildfire will occur. Advance planning and preparation, will dramatically increase your safety and the survivability of your property.

Below are some basic tips to help you prepare.

• Maintain at least 30’ feet of clearance around your entire residence

• Keep firewood neatly stacked away from the residence

• Remove all dead trees and/or vegetation, whether standing or fallen, from the property

• Remove pine needles and leaves from the roof of the residence

• Keep trees and/or shrubs pruned at least 10’ from around the chimney area

• Remove combustible refuse from entire property

• Remove tumbleweeds and keep all other annual weeds/grasses mowed to a minimum of 4”

• Check out this website for ideas and information about fire resistive plants.

The Apple Valley Fire Protection District has published the Ready, Set, Go! Personal Wildfire Action Plan to give you tips and tools to successfully prepare your home, and your family for a wildfire. The brochure is available for pick up Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Fire District Headquarters located at 22400 Headquarters Drive in Apple Valley.

Warmer weather means more time in and around the water. Startling statistics show that drowning is the nation’s number one killer of children under the age of 5 and it’s the second leading cause of death for ages 1 to 14. By following the safety precautions below, you can help to prevent your family from becoming a statistic.

A- Adult Supervision

• NEVER leave a child alone by or in the water, even for a second.

• Maintain constant eye-to-eye supervision with children in or around the swimming pool.

• Assign an adult to supervise children around the pool, especially at parties.

• Floaties or other inflatable flotation devices are NOT life jackets and should NEVER be substituted for adult supervision.

• Know your location address and phone number in the event 9-1-1 is called.

B- Barriers

• Have an isolation fence that separates your pool from the house, play yard and front yard.

• Make sure ALL gates in isolation and yard fences are self-closing and self-latching.

• Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area locked or install alarm devices to alert you if someone enters the pool area.

• Move chairs and tables away from pool fences, so a child cannot climb up to unlatch or climb over the fence.

C- Classes

• Learn and know how to perform CPR. Contact Apple Valley Fire Protection District at (760) 247-7618 for information on classes.

• Enroll your child in swimming lessons. Contact the Town of Apple Valley at (760) 240-7000 for information on swimming classes.

• Phoenix Fire Department has put together a family friendly water safety music video. Click here and play the “Keep Them In Sight” video on the right side of the page.