In August of 2001, Monica zech made the biggest and most rewarding career change of her life!  She chose to leave a 30-year career in broadcasting to become the Public Information Officer and Safety Educator for the El Cajon Fire Department.  On July 18th, 2005, Monica was then promoted to become the Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon, and still provide safety education on behalf of the El Cajon Police & Fire Departments.  She also writes articles on safety and appears on local television news segments giving valuable safety advice.  She continues what she loves doing most – providing safety lectures in the community.  It‘s obvious to her audiences that “safety/injury prevention” is Monica’s passion!

Monica has been involved in broadcasting for more than thirty-five years. Her broadcasting career highlights; in 1971, at the age of 16, she became the first female broadcast intern at KGTV, Ch. 10, from Crawford High School. She went on to work for a variety of radio stations as a news reporter/anchor. In January of 1984 she became San Diego’s first female airborne traffic reporter, and soon after – San Diego’s first television traffic reporter for both the NBC and ABC local affiliates and heard on ten radio stations.   Since 1984 Monica has been delivering lectures on safety throughout San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties.  Since 1984 to the present, she has received numerous news, safety and community service awards. (See her awards section)  Although Monica enjoyed her work as a reporter, she most enjoyed her research and lectures in the community on traffic safety and overall injury prevention.  Since the beginning, she has delivered these lectures on her own time, after work, evenings and weekends – and would often use all her vacation and sick leave hours to deliver her safety messages.  By representing the City of El Cajon, Police & Fire Departments, she is now able provide safety education as a full-time career. But, due to her passion for safety – she still uses her off hours and vacation hours to lecture outside the city of El Cajon.

It was during her first year as a traffic reporter in 1984, while conducting research and working with local emergency agencies, trauma room doctors and various transportation and safety organizations, that Monica saw the “crucial” need to add safety education advice to her traffic reports – and to lecture on traffic safety in the community.

But, after twelve years of safety lecturing, Monica’s work in traffic safety took on an even deeper meaning, when on June 5th, 1992; her own father was struck and killed by a DUI driver.

The Tragedy; On June 5th, 1992, at about 6:15pm, Monica’s father was crossing at the corner of El Cajon Boulevard at Jessie Avenue in La Mesa. The investigation showed a vehicle stopped to allow Mr. Pacheco to cross. As he started to cross it was the next approaching vehicle, driven by a 23-year-old DUI driver, that began go around and pass the stopped vehicle into the next lane. In court testimony the DUI driver claimed he saw a man crossing the street but thought this man would stop walking to allow him to continue to drive through. But Monica’s father was already in that second lane and the DUI driver, who should have stopped, instead – struck and killed Monica’s 63 year-old father “John G. Pacheco.”  It was soon found this 23-year-old driver had a blood alcohol level of .16, twice over the legal limit…so his thinking and judgment was slowed due to his intoxication – it was also discovered this was the driver’s 4th DUI arrest!  It took my father to stop him – but it also took his life to do it.  In the picture below is the vehicle that struck and killed Monica’s father. The damage to the front windshield was caused by her father’s head striking the windshield, an indentation to the left front end of the vehicle was where his upper body struck. His body was then thrown some twenty to thirty feet into the air coming down head first into the center median across the street crushing his skull and causing his fatal injuries.

More on the driver that killed Monica’s father. This was the driver’s fourth DUI arrest. Demonstrating a continued lack of respect for the law, he never bothered to go to court to answer for his last two DUI arrests, so there were two misdemeanor arrest warrants pending when he struck Monica’s father. From the first DUI, his license had been suspended and he was driving without driver’s insurance coverage.  Sadly, despite this DUI driver’s previous DUI record, he was sentenced to a mere four years in prison. After serving only about a year and a half of his sentence he was released for good behavior. (But was later thrown back in jail on yet another drug charge a short time later.) But, Monica’s father is still gone and very much missed by Monica and her family – and has become a part of Monica’s lectures.  Although it’s been 19 years since his death, talking about his death is sometimes painful. But it’s important to Monica to take that pain and educate her audiences on how “precious” life is and not to take your love ones for granted.  But, she makes it very clear – she speaks in memory of all those killed and injured in predictable-preventable traffic collisions every day.

But, lightning can strike a family twice! On February 10th, 2005, just before 9 p.m., Monica’s then 24 year-old daughter “Victoria,” was struck broadside by a 17-year-old female, unlicensed -DUI driver!  Thanks to her daughter’s alertness and quick action behind the wheel she was able to avoid a direct impact into her driver’s door. The young lady did strike the front end of her car then fled the scene – only to be apprehended a couple blocks away. Victoria did suffer some minor injuries to her neck and back, and her vehicle sustained about $4,000 in damages. But most important, Monica is very thankful her daughter was able to avoid fatal injuries…and that she was able to see her daughter graduate from paramedic school in June of 06′ and marry a month later in July. Monica feels very blessed to have seen her daughter achieve two important dreams – to become a paramedic and to marry.  Some parents are not so fortunate to see their children achieve their dreams.  According to police, the 17 year-old DUI driver that hit Monica’s daughter, may not be able to get her driver’s license until age 21, maybe even until age 25 due to the serious charges against her.

Research shows many drivers, with suspended licenses from a DUI, continue to drive, often repeating the same driving behavior. That’s why it’s crucial we are always 100% alert behind the wheel and as a pedestrian.  Stats also show 40% of motorists drive without insurance, so make sure you have good “un-insured” motorist protection on your driver’s insurance policy.

 As a driver, Monica herself has been a victim.  She was struck by a motorist who was busy talking on his cell phone and had paperwork across his steering wheel as he flew into a parking lot.  Monica was in that parking lot and saw his vehicle coming right at her driver’s door.  She hit the gas and he hit her back door area – avoiding certain death.   Then on August 29th, 2003, Monica was on her way to the CHP office in El Cajon when a motorist ran the STOP sign at the bottom of the ramp from west 8 to East Main Street.  The driver ran the STOP by two car lengths and failed to look left and pulled into Monica’s path.  Monica slammed on her brakes, leaving 22 feet of skid marks, and hit the woman’s back door.  Monica’s quick reaction saved the driver – but caused serious injuries to Monica. Due to her injuries Monica required neck surgery a few months later.  Two surgeons said Monica should have been paralyzed by the crash.   Her experience adds to the impact of her talks.

Buckle-up and be alert! Keep in mind that a DUI driver may run that red light or stop sign, or pop out of a driveway when you least expect it.  Impaired drivers (and pedestrians) are out there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

*For a professional and personal look at what it takes to be a “safe” driver for your school, group, military group or company conference please contact Monica Zech at (619) 843-7218 or email her at monicazech@cox.net.

(San Diego, California) – “My Driving Safety Lectures Will Help To Reduce Your Collision RISK Factor!”

My lectures are designed to make you aware of the driving habits that cause collisions – injuries and death…and what you can do to increase your chance of survival on our roadways.

Attention:  Conference Planners – Company Safety Stand-down Coordinators (Company & Military) – Schools & Colleges - Did you know that  a traffic collision is the number one cause of death from birth to age 44…and for emergency personnel it’s our number one 9-1-1 call!  It’s also the number one reason for the loss of an employee!   “Texting” is our number one distraction behind the wheel, not only is it illegal – it’s deadly!

My lectures provide a perspective most people don’t see – what “we” see as emergency responders.  A perfect compliment to other safe driving programs companies use…but, once you’ve seen my talk, you’ll never look at traffic the same way again.

You’ll also curb poor driving behaviors that lead to the injury and death we respond to.   It is an eye-opening talk on what it takes to be safe while driving, riding or walking.

My perspective comes from my 18 years as a TV/radio traffic reporter, collision researcher and now 10 years as a spokesperson for a police & fire department.  I offer tips on how to reduce your chances of becoming another statistic!   I give you the emergency agency point of view – and some personal perspective.

My talks address aggressive driving, distracted driving (cell phones/texting), dealing with stress and road rage, the dangers of red light running and rolling through STOP signs, plus a hard hitting look on motorcycle safety and of course the dangers of driving under the influence.  Driving safety-injury prevention is my passion!

Note:  My speaker’s fee is negotiable in speaking  at company conferences, briefings & stand-downs.   There is no charge in speaking to schools and to the military in the San Diego area.   If air travel is required – airfare, hotel and a speaker’s fee will be required.

If you’d like to contact me please call me at (619) 843-7218.  You can also email me at monicazech@cox.net.

These these thought provoking life-saving tips will help to improve the driving skills of your employees, military personnel and students.  I also offer an emergency agency point of view of the mistakes most often made – and how to avoid them!”

Contact me for your next safety briefing or safety stand-down, Company Conference, civic group, college or high school assembly, driver education class or traffic school class.

Through my work as a “safety educator” for a police and fire department, and through personal experience – my goal is to make my audiences more aware of what’s really happening on our roadways and how we can reduce the risk factor of having a collision - and increase our chances of survival.  Driving is serious business and I do not sugarcoat the message.   But I can cater my talks to cover your specific message.

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Since 1984 I’ve spoken to thousands of people of all ages on injury prevention. It’s great to hear feedback that my talks have made a difference.  These are some of the wonderful comments I’ve received through the years. 

I was a keynote speaker at a parenting event in April and I received the following thank you from the coordinator of the event.

August 10, 2011

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Apparently my talks can leave a lasting impression…please take a look at a recent comment I received on January 14, 2011:

Hi Monica,
The school is still buzzing about your presentation. (4/7/10) I cannot thank you enough. 

Also, I spoke to the President of our school PTO (formerly PTA) and she is extremely interested in having you out to speak to the parents before our school year ends. I was hoping you would have some availability one evening between now and mid-June. If so, I will meet with her and our VP to see when we can schedule the theater. If you can do it, are there are days or weeks that are not
good for you. Again, it would be an evening time so parents could attend. 

Thank you again, I look forward to hearing from you!

R. Brooks

PS. As you probably know….today is National NO PHONE ZONE Day!!!
So far we have collected almost 300 signed No Phone Zone car pledges from students and staff and they are still coming in to me each day! 
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April 7, 2010: Following four driving safety assemblies I delivered at Valhalla High School today, I received the following card:

Monica – I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to present to the students and staff at Valhalla High!  Your presentation was fantastic and I know you touched many lives today.  It was wonderful meeting you and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you again! 

Sincerely,

R. Brooks

On March 14, 2010: I just returned from Miami where I was invited to speak to students and their parents at a private high school called Gulliver Preparatory. I delivered two talks on March 11, 2010.  I first spoke to the students (9th-10th-11th & 12th grade levels) and then to their parents. Here is a comment I received from the host parent Lisa about my talks:

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Another very nice comment following a safe driving talk I delivered to a Yacht Club in the beach area.  Received October 9, 2009.

Hi Monica,

I have been meaning to send you a note letting you know how much we enjoyed your talk our M. B. Yacht Club.  Your speech did have an impact!  That same evening there was an event at the club where alcohol was being served.  One of the ladies that attended the meeting came up to me and said she and her husband had decided to spend the night on their boat at the club after the party.  She said normally they would have driven home but your talk reinforced what they both knew and was a good reminder on drinking and driving. 

Thank you again for speaking to our club.  I was thinking it would be beneficial to invite the juniors to this type of presentation next time.  I won’t be the president of the group next year but I will pass on your contact information and the positive feedback I received to next year’s president.  If there is anything the club can do for you please let me know.

 Sharon B.

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Received this comment 9/2/09 following a safe driving and disaster preparedness talk to the New Frontier mobile home community in Santee:

Hi Monica,

What a wonderful day – your presentation tonight was magnificent. Monica, you were truly great. You really did a super job and everyone was so pleased. Everything you brought out was so important and so timely. There wasn’t a soul in that room who was not directly affected. Thank you, thank you.

My best to you and your family,

S. Sizemore

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Received this comment on 5/14/09 following a safe driving talk I delivered to a traffic school on 5/09/09 – thank you!

Monica Zech,
I’m just E-maling you to thank you for doing such a wonderful job speaking at the CBI traffic school this past Saturday. I also wanted to let you know I just saw you on the morning edition of San Diego 6 news as the safety spokesperson. You are doing a great job all together and I hope you will continue to inspire other young drivers like you did for me.
Sincerely,
C.W.

Received following a driving safety lectures to educators at a local University on 1/12/09:

Monica- I wanted to drop you a note to say “Thank You” for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come and speak at Prof. Graf’s Health Education class last week. Your presentation was really eye opening and I’ve been making better decisions ever since!

Thanks again and I hope to one day call you up to come speak to my class.

Best, B. Ratner

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Dear Monica,
I met you at Dr. Graph’s health class at National University. I am a special education teacher at a local High School. My students are 18-22 years old. I’m sure my students would be impressed and shocked by how dangerous walking around the streets could be. I thank you for everything you do for children and to ensure public safety.

I always think of how many people suffer or die needlessly on our roads. It upsets me to hear of anyone dying, but these people are not at war and shouldn’t have to go through that. Thank you for everything that you do to help people become more aware of safety.

God Bless you,
Carlos

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Received December 11, 2008

Following a safe driving lecture to Navy Personnel in Point Loma:

Dear Ms. Monica,

Thank you for your time spent with us this week at our All Hands (military) Safety Brief. I found your brief interesting, educative, and (morbidly) entertaining.

While I have never seen the level of trauma you have, I do have a bit of time volunteering with a county fire department.as a firefighter/EMT, and as an auxiliary police officer. I’ve seen what speed can do when a small car hits a telephone pole at high speed.

(After hearing my talk) I have slowed down, given a 3-4 second distance in following, compared to the 1.5-2.5 I used to, and have caught myself looking several times both ways before proceeding through a controlled intersection. Not much, but at least I will have more reaction time if I am involved in something I can’t avoid.

It really brought it home when you shared with us the loss of your father, and the incident your daughter was in.

Again, thank you for your time.

Best Regards,
Ken L. L.
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy

Following a driving safety talk on November 10, 2008:

Hi Monica,

Just wanted to thank you again for so graciously and expertly presenting last night for AAUW. Everyone was raptly attentive, and I think we all learned some interesting, new things along with being graphically reminded of much we know, but often forget to follow! You certainly know your material, and your passion and sincerity come through glowingly. Well done! Just had an email from our president, Rilla, and she expressed her praises for your talk, and wished she could have heard the full 2 hr. presentation! Ever thought of starting a Fan Club? Please know how much I appreciate your willingness to give up so much time for my group.

G.C.

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Following a driving safety talk to a Kiwanis Group in La Jolla, October 24, 2008:

Monica,

Thank you for your presentation. You did a terrific job. One highly reliable mark of a good presentation is when people stay over to talk to the speaker, voting with their feet as it were. You had lots and lots of people doing so. So, kudos!

R. C., C. Law Firm

Received August 12, 2008

Following a driving safety lecture to the San Diego Gas & Electric office in El Cajon:

Monica,

I am late, but don’t want miss the deserved opportunity to say how enjoyable it was to hear you at SDG&E’s Safety Standdown in El Cajon. In so many, many ways you informed and educated employees on driving and it’s potential ugly consequences. Personally, I didn’t want to drive back to the home office or go home that day. Again, your energy and passion was remarkable!

Thanks,

R.G.
Business Systems Analyst

Received May 21, 2008:

Hi Monica,

My name is C.M. and I was privileged to attend your presentation at our monthly TIP continuing education meeting Monday evening. Along with most of my fellow volunteers, we were terrified to drive home that night but certainly came away from your presentation with many sobering facts and figures. Thanks so much for the “wake-up call/reminder” to our group…..especially some of us more “mature” drivers!

Thanks again for a most informative evening!

Regards, C. M.
(T.I.P. is Trauma Intervention Program)

Received May 18, 2008
From a parent whose child attends 3rd grade at Our Lady of Grace Church Academy in El Cajon:

I have to tell you what an impact you’ve had on my daughter! Whenever you come to their classroom to speak on safety she is very excited. She can’t wait to get home to tell me all about the safety information you delivered to her classroom of students. Thank you & Bless you for all you do for our children – and our community! – Ms. Church

(Yes, that’s her name)

(Thank you Ms. Church your comments meant a lot to me. – Monica )

Received January 8, 2008 following my talk to a Navy Pilot group at North Island Military base:

Monica,

Thank you again for yet another outstanding presentation to HSL-47! We greatly appreciate the commitment of time that you have given to us, and we are more safe on the roads and at home, and are better prepared for the “unknowns” out there. If we can ever assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

J. Melody – North Island Base

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*In my safe driving lectures I have a special dedication: When addressing the subject of aggressive driving I dedicate my talks to the memory of someone very special who was killed by an “aggressive driver” – his name is “Mr. Durham Sprague”. (Seated in the center above)  He was a retired Carlsbad Firefighter, who raised 4 children, three of them sons, all Carlsbad Firefighters, along with a wonderful daughter, a newspaper/magazine journalist…and one of my best friends – Jeannie!  (She’s seated on the far left in the picture above.)

Mr. Sprague was killed on hwy 805 near Murray Ridge as he attempted to merge into lanes when an aggressive-reckless driver, speeding and weaving through traffic, struck Mr. Sprague’s vehicle causing him to roll off the freeway.  The driver who struck and killed Mr. Sprague had a history of reckless driving.  Sadly, aggressive driving kills and injures everyday on our roadways.  This type of driving which often leads to the road rage factor.   My safety lectures address “aggressive driving” and curbing the rage.  How to deal with stress and road rage, either your own rage or that of other drivers.  My lectures will open your eyes to the dangers and how you can reduce the dangers on our roadways.

My dedication to safety is to provide my audience with  a “professional and personal” look at what it takes to increase your survival on our streets and highways, and at home!  How to avoid making the same mistakes others have made that caused their collision.  I’ll make you more aware of the problems we  see daily at our 9-1-1 emergency calls, what you may have missed hearing or seeing about in the news, and all the latest stats. My goal is to make you more aware of these problems that surround us to reduce the “risk factors” of having a collision.  ”What you don’t know, can kill or injure you…or someone you care about!”

*These talks have been in big demand for driving education/training courses, schools(all levels), traffic schools, Life Skills Classes, Parenting classes, military safety stand downs and for company safety conferences and briefings.  I do utilize some stats in my talks, but I put faces with those stats.  Most are local faces, including yours truly.   But keep in mind I do not “sugar coat” the issues since my goal is to save lives!  (But for young children I am careful.)

*Parents of young children – did you know over 90% of safety car seats are not installed correctly.   So you’ll know the law and what it takes to protect your children, check one or more of the following sites – Office of Traffic Safety, California Highway Patrol, Safety Belt Safe U.S.A. – or check my section on this web site regarding safety car seats – “Is Your Child Buckled Up Correctly?”

*Parents of teens! – Are you concerned about your teen driver(s)? You should be since the number one cause of death for teenagers are traffic collisions!   Did you also know “parents” are the direct role models for their children, especially in the area of “driving!” Listen to one of my lectures and you’ll learn how to be a safer role model for your family.

*Graduated Licensing Is Saving Lives” in reducing the death rate among teenage drivers! What is it, how does it work and what are the rules/laws? Check here – Graduated Licensing – compliments of the Automobile Club of Southern California .

Any of these talks have been ideal for company safety meetings & conferences.

If you’d like me to speak to your group just give me a call at (619) 843-7218, or send your request via at monicazech@ cox.net.  Yes – I can speak outside the San Diego County area.   There is a speakers for company talks. When requested to speak outside the county, or state, and airfare and hotel is needed – that must be provided in addition to the speakers fee.  My speakers fee is negotiable.

*A speakers fee is waived for local military bases, schools and non-profit groups.  If long distance travel is involved there may be a small charge involved for fuel.

Visit this young man’s website to hear his story http://www.theduiexperience.com/

Educators, concerned family and friends – I highly recommend the following program for driver education classes, traffic schools or if you’re concerned about someone you know that drinks alcoholic beverages and then drives. To fully understand the dangers of this practice attend one of these meetings. – Monica Zech

MADD Victim Impact Panels – What Are They?:

Mothers Against Drunk Driving believes that drunk drivers and potential impaired drivers need to hear what happens to the victims in impaired driving crashes. The Victim Impact Panel is a tool for accomplishing this goal.

MADD chapters select a panel of three or four victims to speak briefly about the impaired driving collisions in which they were injured or in which a loved one was killed, and how those crashes have impacted their personal lives.

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Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
by Lain Ehmann

Sweaty palms. Upset stomach. Dizziness. Shortness of breath. Rapid heartbeat. These might sound like symptoms of the flu, but if you have a fear of public speaking, chances are you know them all too well.

A common condition

Fear of speaking in public is extremely common, says David Greenberg, author of Simply Speaking! The No-Sweat Way to Prepare and Deliver Presentations and member of the National Speakers Association (NSA).

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Courtesy of the EL CAJON FIRE DEPARTMENT – Safety Educator Monica Zech For educational materials, or if you’d like a speaker for your school, group or company, give me a call at (619) 441-1615 or e-mail me at monicazech@cox.net or through my work email at mzech@cityofelcajon.us.

*My talks provide both a professional and personal look at what it takes to increase your survival in case of fire. Making you more aware of the problems we’re seeing in our emergency calls, what you may have missed hearing about in the news and throught stats. My goal is to make you more aware of these problems that surround us to reduce the “risk factors” of experiencing a tragedy. These talks have been in big demand for parenting classes, schools, Colleges, military safety stand downs, company safety briefings or conferences and for civic and senior groups. The content of these safety talks can include any or all of the following topics, utilizing slides and VHS videos.

The Basic Facts About FIRE…And Other Safety Tips:

Fire kills an estimated 5-thousand people a year! Of the 91-thousand fires reported yearly in the United States, most fires occur at night while we’re asleep. Most people die of smoke inhalation from a fire – not burns. Fire is very dangerous – once a fire starts it can double in size every 30 seconds. Don’t think it can’t happen to you or your family. Do everything you can to protect & educate your family or workplace. Most fires & related deaths can be prevented – so prevention through education is our mission – saving lives is our goal.

*Fire Safety Education Fact sheets check – The United States Fire Administration

*For General & Local Fire Safety programs in the area of “Burn Prevention” and other related issues – please contact, and if possible support through your donations, The Burn Institute click or call (858)541-2277.

*FIRE SAFETY TIPS – Talks Available (recommended 1st Grade ages & up)

*PARENTS – To prevent most home fires -it’s “proper supervision” of young children and making sure matches and lighters are out of reach of young children or locked away! More young children start home fires after seeing their parents lighting cigarettes and barbecues and imitate this behavior. And “never” leave burning candles and cooking food “unattended”!

*Most important – SMOKE DETECTORS – Make sure you have a functioning life-saving “smoke detector” in your home and workplace! The firefighters I work with have found these to be such lifesavers they have a smoke detector in every single room of their home. At $5-$10 each they’re a small investment to protect your family and home. To keep it functioning, change the battery every 6 months, check it/test it at least once a month – if not once a week. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. Some detectors make a chirping or beeping sound to let you know the battery needs to be replaced. Never take a battery out of a detector for use in toys etc. If you disabled it due to cooking-restore it to working order as soon as you finish cooking. Sleep with your bedroom door closed, smoke from a fire can be kept out of a room for about 20 to 30 minutes. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home…if you’re concerned about your heater have San Diego Gas & Electric check it!

*Have a home escape plan, plan it and practice it with your family at least twice a year. Most important have a meeting place outside, a place you’ll all meet to make sure everyone got out safely before calling 9-1-1…this way no one runs back into a burning building thinking loved ones are still trapped inside. Never go into a burning building, not for pictures or any material items – it’s not worth your life.

*If you live in a two or more story home make sure you have a window escape ladder in each bedroom, possibly in a box under the window or under the bed. These can be purchased at a Home Depot or Target.

• Keep matches and lighters hidden away from children.
• Do Not leave candles burning or food cooking “unattended” – these are 2 major fire hazards we see most often.
• Never leave small appliances running or plugged in – such as fans, heaters or coffee pots
• Avoid overloading wall outlets and extension cords.
• Keep outdoor electrical connectors above ground and out of puddles and snow.
• Dispose of fireplace ashes into a metal container until cold.
• After parties, check around and under sofa and chair cushions for smoldering cigarettes. (Provide lots of ash trays or better yet, don’t allow smoking indoors)
• Have an operable fire extinguisher readily available.
• Commuting with hot liquids? Those who commute with hot coffee, hot chocolate or tea, in a cup or commuter mug, could accidently pour hot liquids onto their laps while driving – or at the workplace. The growth of hot coffee shops has added to this growing problem.

Fire Safety – Children:

• Teach your child how and when to call 9-1-1
• Teach your child NEVER to play with matches or lighters – keep these items out of reach or hidden – supervision of a child/children is very important! Many of the fires we’ve seen start from a child or children left playing alone in a bedroom.

*According to Ms.Sue Cox, spokesperson for Children’s Hospital – Visiting family & friends and colder weather presents it’s own share of hazards you may not know about. The following are examples of such hazards she has seen that have led to injuries and in some cases death:

• Family & friends visiting? Watch your young child very carefully, they may get into suitcases filled with hazards such as medicines, razors etc. In general, the supervision of children may suffer as you tend to guests.
• Colder temperatures – hot beverage use rises – keep hot beverage mugs and coffee pots out of reach of children. Keeps handles of pots and pans on the stove turned inward.

From the Californian Department of Forestry – How To Protect Your Family & Home:

You Are At Risk! California is home to millions of residents who enjoy the state’s beautiful scenery and warm climate. But most people do not realize that these qualities also create the MOST SEVERE WILDFIRE CONDITIONS IN THE WORLD! Each year, thousands of acres of California wildland and hundreds of homes are destroyed during a fire season that lasts from May to October – and in some areas all year long.

If you live in the foothills, grasslands, or mountains of California, YOU ARE AT RISK!

Making the fire hazard even worse is the growing population in new communities that were once wildland areas surrounding California’s major cities. This rapid growth places even greater strain on the state’s firefighting forces, who can’t place a fire engine at every home.

Fire protection is everyone’s responsibility:
To protect your family and your possessions, you must follow certain steps — both inside and outside your home — to make your property “Fire Safe.”

Inside Your Home:
Smoke detectors have saved many lives by alerting residents to fires inside the home. Smoke detectors should be positioned on the wall or ceiling just outside each bedroom. If you have a multi-level home, install a detector on every floor. Sleep with your bedroom door closed, but make sure you can clearly hear the detector in the hall. If there is any doubt, or if you smoke, place an additional detector inside your bedroom. Be sure to test your smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year, perhaps when clocks are changed in the spring and fall.

Portable fire extinguishers save lives and property by putting out or containing small fires until the fire department arrives. It is most important to place fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage. Make sure that each member of your family can hold and operate your fire extinguishers and knows where they are located inside the home. Remember that fire extinguishers need to be maintained and must be recharged after every use.

Consider installing a home sprinkler system. Home sprinkler systems are one of the most reliable and effective ways to protect your home because they provide an immediate response to extinguish a fire. They also can extinguish a fire when you are asleep or when you are away from home.

Outside Your Home:
Your roof is the most vulnerable part of your house because it can easily catch fire from wind-blown sparks. It is highly recommended that you build or re-roof with fire resistive roofing materials. Also be sure to clear pine needles, leaves or other debris from your roof and gutters. And remove any dead branches overhanging your roof.

Remove any tree branches within 10 feet of your chimney. Cover your chimney outlet and stovepipe with a nonflammable screen of ? inch or smaller mesh.

Build or remodel with fire resistive building materials, such as brick or stucco.

Enclose the undersides of balconies and above-ground decks with fire resistive materials.

Limit the size and number of windows in your home that face large areas of vegetation. Even from a distance of 30 feet away, the heat from a wildfire is enough to ignite the furnishings inside your house. Install only dual-paned or triple-paned windows to reduce the potential of breakage in a fire.

Your Yard:
Create a “defensible space” by removing all dry grass, brush, and dead leaves at least 30, but better yet 100 feet away feet from your home. Replace native plants with ornamental landscaping plants that are fire resistive.

Space trees and shrubs at least 10 feet apart. Reduce the number of trees in heavily wooded areas.

For trees smaller than 18 feet, prune lower branches within six feet of the ground to keep ground fires from spreading into tree tops.

Stack firewood and scrap woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure and clear away flammable vegetation that is within 10 feet of these woodpiles.

Locate LPG tanks (butane and propane) at least 30 feet from any structure and surround them with 10 feet of clearance.

*Defensible space must be regularly maintained to be effective.

Your Emergency Water Supply:
Maintain an emergency water supply, that meets fire department standards, through one of the following: a community water/hydrant system; a cooperative emergency storage tank with neighbors;
a minimum storage supply of 2,500 gallons on your property.
Clearly mark all emergency water sources and maintain easy firefighter access to these water sources.

If your water comes from a well, consider an emergency generator to operate the pump during a power failure.

Access to Your House:
You should know at least two exit routes from your neighborhood in case of emergency evacuation. If there id only one, evacuate if there’s the slightest chance of raging brush fires near your home. Don’t wait for someone to knock on your door to tell you to evacuate.

Make sure that any road leading up to your house allows two-way traffic, is not too steep and does not have curves too sharp to accommodate large emergency vehicles.

Driveways and bridges must be strong enough to carry heavy emergency vehicles, including bulldozers carried on large trucks.

Make sure dead-end roads and long driveways have turnaround areas that are wide enough for emergency vehicles.

*Very Important: Your house address and street name should be printed in numbers and letters that are at least four inches tall, on contrasting color background. They should be visible from all directions of travel for at least 150 feet. HELP US FIND YOU!

Be sure that your street name and house number are not duplicated elsewhere in the county.

If your house is set back from your street or road, post your address at the entrance of your driveway.

Emergency Preparedness:
Store at least a three-day supply of drinking water and food that does not require refrigeration and generally does not need cooking.

*Store first aid supplies, portable radio, flashlight, emergency cooking equipment, portable lanterns and batteries. Prepare a list of valuables to take with you in case of evacuation; if possible, store these valuables together to save time later.

Pre-plan an escape route from your home and neighborhood. Designate an emergency meeting place for the reunion of family members escaping in separate vehicles, and establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives.

Practice emergency exit drills regularly.

Make sure that all family members are ready to protect themselves with
STOP, DROP AND ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Find out more about Fire Safe!

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), a department of the Resources Agency of California, provides leadership and services to protect and encourage sound land management of the forest, brush and grass-covered lands in California.

Fo additional information contact the local office of the California Department of Forestry at (619)588-0364.