"Saving Lives and Protecting Property"

 Keith Larkin, Fire Chief 

210 S. Academy Ave, Sanger, Ca 93657 

559 - 493-4300

Fireworks and Summer Fire Safety

Every year Americans look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries due to fireworks and outdoor grills. Annually just under 10,000 Americans are injured by fireworks and almost 5,000 are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires. In 2007, 64 percent of fireworks injuries occurred between June 22 and July 22.

Families will enjoy camping and visiting parks in Fresno County this summer. It is important to follow the park's rules for the use and extinguishing of campfires and barbeques.

Summertime should be a time for fun and making happy memories. Fresno County Firefighters would like you to know a few fire safety tips to follow that will help everyone have a safe summer.

Fireworks Safety

• The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.
• If you plan to use fireworks, only use "Safe and Sane".
• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
• Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly.
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a devise does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate it. Put it out with water and dispose of it.
• Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a devise is not marked with the contents, direction and a warning label, do not light it.
• Supervise children around fireworks at all times.
• Never use fireworks in areas they are not allowed in Fresno County.  These areas are East of the Friant Kern Canal and West of Interstate 5.  

Barbecue Safety

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.
• Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.

Campfire Safety

• Build campfires only in designated areas, have a valid permit in your possession.
• Keep campfires small, and don't let them get out of hand.
• Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you're done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
• Never leave campfires unattended.

Pool and Water Safety

Summer is a time for family fun and creating memories that will last a lifetime.  Chief Larkin Unit Chief of CAL Fire Fresno-Kings Unit, Fresno County Fire and Fresno County Firefighters would like everyone to follow these simple and easy safety steps to prevent an unnecessary tragedy.

Too often, firefighters hear people say, “It was just a few seconds.” Unfortunately, just a few seconds is all it takes for a child to drown.  Drowning is the leadingcause of preventable death in Fresno County for Children under the age of five and the second leading cause of death in adolescents and adults ages 15 to 44.

Most of these children drown in their own backyard swimming pool, but others drown in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, canals, rivers, lakes, and ponds.  Small children are top-heavy, and they don't have the upper body strength to left themselves out of one of these dangerous situations. Even if the child survives the incident, they are often left with permanent brain damage.  Drowning and near drowning can be prevented, and you can help! Anyone involved with the supervision of children needs to be aware of the dangers associated with any body of water.

Below are some useful tips to prevent these needless tragedies:

• Know where your children are at all times
• Use an approved barrier to separate the pool from the house
• Never allow children to be alone near a pool or any water source
• Have life-saving devices near the pool, such as a pole/hook, or flotation device
• Keep large objects such as tables, chairs, toys, and ladders away from pool fences
• Post the 9-1-1 number on the phone
• Do not allow children to play around the pool and store all toys outside the pool area
• If you leave the pool area, take the children with you
• Always have a “designated child watcher”
• Learn to swim
• Never swim alone, or while under the influence of alcohol or medications
• Never swim when thunder or lightning is present

• Never dive into unfamiliar or shallow bodies of water

    Practice Water Safety While On Vacation!

Whether vacationing in Fresno County, staying at a hotel with a pool, visiting relatives or friends who own pools, taking a tubing trip down a river or boating on a lake… water safety must be practiced wherever water is present!

Here are some simple water safety tips to follow when planning your next family vacation:

• Enforce the same safety rules you use at home. Take time to explain the importance of following these same rules to your children.
• Never allow children to swim unsupervised in a hotel/motel pool: Never assume someone else is watching your child.
• Check out the pool before you swim: Is the water clean and clear? Where is the deep end? Is there a lifeguard on duty? Where is the rescue equipment, and how is it used? Where is the phone, and can you dial out directly?
• When staying at a relative or friend’s home, look for possible water hazards (pools, ponds, buckets, bathtubs, toilets, dog bowls, etc.).
• When boating, wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket: When planning boating events, make sure to pack a lifejacket for each person. Children are required to wear a lifejacket at all times in a boat in many states. Bring along other items that float such as cooler, cushions, etc.
• Know what is in and under an open water area: Find out about hazards such as marine life, parasites, currents, drop-offs, very cold water, or submerged objects. Enter all unfamiliar water feet first.
• If the water is shared by boats, BE VISIBLE: Have your child wear a bright colored swim cap, stay close to shore, and actively watch for boats.
• Know what to do if your child falls in the river: Go downstream immediately to position yourself to help.