Register For The Reverse 9-1-1 System
October 2, 2008
Filed under Disaster Preparedness, Resources
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION System: Register your cell phone, home phone number and email addresses!
This system was a life saver for many of those evacuated during the October 2007 fires. Residents who live in San Diego County, which includes all 18 cities and the unincorporated areas of the County, are encouraged to register their cell phones and e-mail addresses for emergency notifications by visiting Ready San Diego:
Alert San Diego – “Get Signed Up. Get notified” -
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/oes/ready/signup.html
Once email addresses and cell phone numbers are registered, it will take up to 24 hours for that information to be updated into AlertSanDiego, the County of San Diego mass notification system that is commonly referred to Reverse 911.
AlertSanDiego will provide emergency alerts to your cell phone and e-mail address including evacuation notices. This is in addition to the land line calls received by those who have land line phones.
Residents are able to register multiple cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses by reopening the Web page. Residents without computers may access this Web site from one of the County libraries.
Questions About Safety Car Seats & Booster Seats?
May 28, 2008
Filed under Resources, Sites for Kids
To answer your questions about safety car seats and booster seats for children please go to: www.boosterseat.gov Once there, click on the link to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
*Join T.I.P. – The Trauma Intervention Program
April 12, 2008
Filed under Resources
TIP in East County – Trauma Response
What T.I.P. is all about: The first few hours after a crisis situation has occurred are very confusing for everyone involved and the TIP volunteers provide the necessary emotional first aid and other temporary support until the persons involved in the crisis are able to depend on family, friends, and others. This allows the emergency providers to return to service more quickly and feel confident that the victim will receive the assistance needed.
For more information please contact: Mandy Atkisson, T.I.P Director by email at tipsandiego@sbcglobal.net. For T.I.P. East County training information please call (619) 697-4936, or or visit T.I.P. San Diego
Great Websites To Check On Safety
January 21, 2008
Filed under Resources, Safety Tips
Here are some great websites I use in my research:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Check their Catalog Materials page for free safety information materials.
NHTSA additional resource links
Vehicle Testing:
Buying a car, or checking on the crash testing of your current car:
NHTSA Vehicle Testing
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
IIHS
Here’s another good one – “Is Your Car Safe?” – Safer Car.gov
Safer Car.org
Here’s another one I just found – Stop Impaired Driving.org:
Stop Impaired Driving
Here is an excellent list of resources in regards to Child Safety:
Child Safety Resource List
*Additional City Web Site Information Here
February 9, 2007
Filed under Resources
Vial of Life!
Vial of Life Program
El Cajon Fire Department
Question: “Do you have a “vial of life” information packet?”
What Is The Vial Of Life Program? The Vial of Life is a medical history document that provides crucial personal and medical history in case of an emergency. The documents provide paramedics and firefighters with crucial personal and medical information that will speak for you if you are unable to communicate in the event of an emergency.
How Do I Use The Vial Of Life? There are six easy steps to using the Vial of Life.
1. Fill out the information completely, making sure it is current and legible.
2. Fold and roll the completed information form and place it in the vinyl plastic holder. (If you have a “Do Not Resuscitate” form be sure to attach a copy.)
3. Place the Vial of Life sticker on the door of your refrigerator at about the same location as the vial inside.
4. Place another Vial of Life sticker on your front door.
5. You can keep an additional Vial of Life in the glove compartment of your car.
6. How Often Do I Need To Update The Information? The Vial of Life will only work if the information is accurate and complete.
For a new form click on the following links:
Vial of Life description
Vial of Life Information form
Monica Zech – Safety Educator
1-800-TELL-CHP
February 23, 2006
Filed under Resources
Toll Free Number Helps Public to Access the CHP for Non-Emergency Purposes
The purpose of the nationwide toll-free telephone number is to provide the public with an easily recognizable telephone number that can be used to contact the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The 1-800-TELL CHP telephone number was originally established for the reporting of vehicle and cargo theft and later expanded for the Farm Labor Vehicle Program. The CHP has designated 1-800-TELL CHP as the number that shall serve as the point of contact for the public to access the CHP for non-emergency purposes (e.g., accident reports, tow questions, CHP office locations, vehicle theft tips, community outreach programs, if you see someone throw a cigarette out their car window in a fire prone brushy area). Additionally, by providing the public with an easily recognizable telephone number for contacting the Department, the use of the cellular 9-1-1 system for non-emergency calls should decrease.
CHP answers the 1-800-TELL CHP telephone number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Hazardous Material Disposal
January 31, 2006
Filed under Resources
For a list of Disposal areas around the county – click here: Disposal Sites/Companies near you.
Hazardous Waste Disposal events – Disposal Events!
FYI-El Cajon contracts with Waste Management, Inc. to accept residents household hazardous waste for FREE and by APPOINTMENT ONLY. On the second and fourth Saturday of each month residents can drop off no more than 15 gallons, or 125 pounds, of household hazardous waste. Call 619-596-5100 to schedule an appointment time or for additional Information.
Or contact the County of San Diego County Recycling Program at 858-874-4020.
The two largest hazardous material collection and disposal companies in San Diego County are Asbury Environmental Services at (800) 748-5744 and Safety Kleen Corporation at (619) 582-5351. These companies can also make special pickups of any quantity of hazardous material for a charge.
Safe Disposal of Universal Waste
What is Universal Waste?
Universal waste (U-waste) is a type of hazardous waste that is generated by residents and businesses alike. U-waste is very common and poses a lower risk to people and the environment than other hazardous wastes. It is now being regulated under California ‘s “Universal Waste Rule,” which requires the recycling* of most types of U-waste.
(*Please note: Although most universal wastes are “recyclable,” they do not belong in your blue solid waste recycling bin. These wastes currently must be taken to proper facilities for recycling.)
Examples of Universal Waste Common Batteries (AA, AAA, C cells, D cells and button cell batteries)
Electronic Devices such as: Computer and television monitors, wireless phones, computer processing units, printers, VCRs and microwave ovens
Fluorescent light tubes and bulbs
High intensity discharge lamps
Mercury switches
Mercury thermometers
Mercury thermostats
Non-empty aerosol cans
How should I dispose of my U-waste?
If you live in one of the unincorporated areas of the County, disposal information is available at: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities
If you live in a City please see our list of Contacts
Additional Disposal Options
General Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste information by ZIP Code:
www.Earth911.org
Phone: 1-877-earth911
Free Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation: www.rbrc.org
Electronics Recycling
California Integrated Waste Management Board: Electronic Product Management Directory
Resources
California Department of Toxic Substances Control: Universal Waste General Information
California Integrated Waste Management Board: Universal Waste Publications
For additional information, please call the Household Hazardous Waste Hotline, 877-713-2784.
Earthquakes! Are YOU Prepared?
October 7, 2005
Filed under Resources, Safety Tips
- Did we just have an earthquake? Click here: Earthquake Information Data.
- The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services : On this site you can watch several videos on preparedness. Just click on: OES
- Don’t forget – you can also dial 2-1-1 for more disaster help resources!
Is Your Child Playing With Matches?
September 6, 2005
Filed under ResourcesWhen to Seek Help…
If you suspect, or find evidence, that your child is setting fires, you should be concerned. To curb fire-setting behavior, lock up matches and lighters immediately, and talk to your child about the potentially fatal consequences of firesetting…and call the Burn Institute. Click here for help: Juvenile Fire Setter Program
Questions About Juvenile Firesetting
Is it normal for children to play with matches?
While curiosity about fire is common, some children light fires for other reasons. A change or crisis such as a move, death or divorce, may result in firesettting. This behavior can be the child’s way of acting out fear or anxiety. Some children set fires to get attention or to oppose authority. Other behaviors in addition to firesetting may reflect more serious emotional problems and require the services of community mental health professionals. Proper intervention can help juveniles who set fires.
Is it a phase?
Juvenile firesetting is extremely dangerous and should not be dismissed as a phase or simple curiosity. Do not ignore it! Left alone it may cause severe property damage or even loss of life. Early recognition and treatment of firesetting can help prevent tragedies in the future
Some excellent tips from the Burn Institute:
Stop Juvenile Firesetting Before It Starts
*Set a good example, make fire safety a family matter. Practice fire and burn prevention in your home.
*Supervise your child. Almost all fires start when children are unsupervised.
*Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet, far away from curious fingers.
Purchase only child resistant lighters. Even a 2-year old can work a cigarette lighter.
*Use a “Don’t Touch!” approach with children under 5 years old. Teach older children to bring matches to you. Reward them with praise when they do.
*If an older child is curious about matches, demonstrate the proper and safe way to use them. Explain that it is important to use matches only when an adult is present.
*Check smoke detectors regularly and have a plan to get out of your home quickly in the event of a fire.
*Matches and lighters are tools for adults not toys for children.
When A Child Strikes a Match, Fire Strikes Back!
*Nationally, children who play with fire cause nearly 80,000 structure fires per year which result in approximately 760 deaths and more than 3,500 injuries.
*Juvenile firesetting does an estimated 1.2 Billion dollars in damage annually.
*It only takes about two-minutes for the flame from a single match to set an entire room on fire, and less than five minutes for that fire to overtake an entire house.
More information on recent activity or latest list of Earthquakes
For more immediate information on how you can better prepare for earthquakes click here: Earthquake Preparedness!
Here are additional resources on what to do in case of an earthquake at home or at work – or for general information on earthquake preparedness.
How about information on preparedness for your children? Click here: Disaster Preparedness For Children
The more you and your family are prepared for an emergency – your chances of survival will be greater! Whether it’s the aftermath of an earthquake, fire or terrorism – being “prepared” can make all the difference.
Are you prepared? Sign up for the nearest available CERT class! See information below about CERT disaster preparedness classes in the next section below.
Tsunami Warning? Don’t call 9-1-1 for information, call the San Diego County Emergency Services number at (858)715-2250.
