Safety Awareness During Holiday Season

The holidays bring different circumstances and safety issues.

Both the San Marino Fire Department and San Marino Police department shared helpful information on staying safe this holiday season.

"Fire prevention would include having your smoke alarms properly working, checking your batteries, having them installed in the proper places, and fire retarding your Christmas tree," San Marino Fire Department Captain Mark Phillips said.

Phillips said the fire department highly recommends any fire sprinkler system, as he estimates they put out close to 100 percent of fires. 

"Combine those things together and you really have a lot of protection," Phillips added.

It is also recommended that residents have multiple escape routes, especially if they have children.

Having working fire extinguishers in a business or at home is also a good idea, and Phillips said one should be placed in the kitchen, as well as any area that you work in.  He also mentioned that they are fairly simple to use, and that most labels contain instructions.

"We don't recommend attempting to put out a huge fire since the contents of the extinguishers are limited to the materials inside," Phillips said. "Make sure your life is safe and your family's life is saved."

Doug Wilson, who has been a San Marino resident for the past six years, makes sure to take preventive measures in his home. 

"We have an artificial tree with lights on it, we rarely burn a fire, and we try to be extra careful about keeping debris or anything that can catch fire near the house," Wilson said.

Phillips said most fires start in the kitchen due to the lack of attention from what's going on.

"A person may start the cooking process and walk away to watch television, or their kids may be running wild in the next room," Phillips said.

Phillips stressed the importance of never attempting to put out a kitchen fire with water.

"If you have the ability to cover the fire with a lid or something, squeeze out the oxygen," said Phillips. "Monitor what you are doing in the kitchen because you are dealing with flames."

According to Phillips, no recent fires have occurred and he credits the department for that.

"We haven't had a lot of fires here in town," said Phillips. "We do a ton of education throughout the year, all over town. This town is well-educated on a lot of those things. We're one of the few departments that goes the extra mile to do specific presentations on fire safety."

Christmas tree fires are more likely to occur when the tree itself dries up around or after Christmas.

"They burn hot and fast, and they spread to other areas of the house very quickly," Phillips said. "As soon as you're done using it, take your decorations off and recycle it out front or take it to a recycle center."

The San Marino Fire Department has implemented several safety programs, including a program called Operation Fire Safe. Under the fire safe program, a San Marino resident can request the fire department to come in and conduct a safety survey of their home.

Phillips said they will even change out batteries on smoke detectors, for example, if a person is elderly and needs help doing so.  Operation Fire Safe is free of charge.

"We don't want to see anybody hurt," Phillips said.

San Marino Police Lieutenant Steve Johnson provided tips for homeowners on how to prevent home burglaries.

"People will put gifts in plain view that can be seen through their windows from sidewalks and lawns," Johnson said. "That's a big target."

According to Johnson, one of the most common thefts that take place is on packages that are being delivered.

Johnson recommends making arrangements to pick up a package at a company's distribution location if nobody will be home around the expected delivery time.  He also said there has been a huge increase in people leaving packages on their porch or side yard, that would end up being reported stolen.

One of the biggest reasons why theft occurs, according to Johnson, is because residents leave doors and windows unlocked.

"Keep your cars locked too and don't have any items in plain view. If you're buying something, don't go put it into your car or trunk because somebody could be watching you," he said.

With shopping season in full swing, Johnson also recommends using a concierge service to hold your bags while you shop if you accumulate too many bags to carry.

"We try to remind people on basic safety tips." Johnson said. "The basic thing is being aware. Look around. If it looks wrong, give us a call. Even if you're mistaken and a person turns out to be legitimate, we'll make sure."