Wednesday, May 5, 2010

FREE Smoke Alarms, LED Nightlights

Throughout the year, the Burn Institute, community volunteers and members of the fire service take part in a collaborative effort to install FREE lifesaving smoke alarms for qualified seniors in San Diego County.

New for 2010: The Burn Institute has partnered with SDG&E to provide FREE energy-saving LED nightlights to each senior household (while supplies last).

To qualify for the Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program, seniors must be 55 years or older, own their own home and live within San Diego County.


The Burn Institute is taking reservations for May and June installations
(Note: Installations are performed monthly throughout the year)

Did you know that having a working smoke alarm in your residence decreases your chances of dying in a house fire by 50% percent? Yet, thousands of seniors throughout San Diego County live in homes without a working smoke alarm. National safety statistics confirm that adults 65 and older are two times more likely to die in a house fire than any other segment of the population -- and for those older than 75, the risk nearly quadruples. One way that seniors can improve their chances of escaping a home fire is to make sure they have a working smoke alarm.

The Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program is available to seniors year-round. Installations are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Slots fill-up quickly -- call now! Gwen Lammers at 858-541-2277 x13 , or glammers@burninstitute.org. Find out more at www.burninstitute.org.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Deer Springs Open House

Mark your calendar -
In support of Wildfire Awareness Week, the Deer Springs Fire Protection District and the Deer Springs Fire Safe Council will be hosting their second annual open house Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hidden Meadows Fire Station #13. Grilled hot dogs, sodas, etc. will be available. Children up to the age of 99 are welcome!
Scheduled to appear:
Multiple fire engines and crews
County rescue/fire helicopter
Mercy Paramedics
Smokey Bear
Sheriff Search & Rescue
Neighborhood Watch
CERT display
Fire Safe Council display
CHP display
Donations of food or money for food are encouraged. Contact Liz Heaton at 760-749-8001. Flyer at: www.HiddenMeadows.US/OpenHouse.pdf.

Celebrate Older Americans Month With San Diego Library

May is Older Americans Month and San Diego County Library is hosting a variety of programs with local seniors in mind. All San Diego County Library branches are doing something special for older Americans this month, and the topics range from healthcare assistance to cooking classes. Some of the events being held this month are:
Laughter Yoga, May 6 at 3 p.m., El Cajon Branch, 201 E Douglas Ave
Senior Expo: Protect Yourself and Your Wallet, May 7 at 11 a.m., Poway Branch, 13137 Poway Rd
Aging in Place: Home Sweet Home- Friend or Foe, May 11 at 1:30 p.m., Lemon Grove Branch, 8073 Broadway
Fight Your Medical Insurance Nightmares, May 19 at 6 p.m., Lakeside Branch, 9839 Vine St
Personal Safety, May 19 at 6:30 p.m., Imperial Beach Branch, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd
All of these programs are free of charge, and many are open to all-ages despite focusing on senior interests. For more information on these programs and the many others being offered in May, visit www.sdcl.org, contact your local library, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Supporting Arizona


Some Valley Center residents were showing their support for Arizona's new immigration law this week. Brayan Bahlmann told The Roadrunner: "Outside the Bahlmann house this weekend. Flag was purchased from Arizona as part of my Arizona Buycott!"

CAL FIRE Kicks off Wildfire Awareness Week

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared May 2-8 Wildfire Awareness Week to remind Californians to be prepared for wildfires and vigilant as the state approaches peak fire season. CAL FIRE will also be using the week to highlight the importance of the homeowner’s role in preparing their property and families ahead of time to survive a wildfire.

This year’s Wildfire Awareness Week theme is based on the nationwide fire preparedness campaign “Ready, Set, Go”. The slogan “Wildfire is coming... Is your home ready?” focuses on the role homeowners have in being ready for a wildfire. Being Ready for a wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate Defensible Space and hardening homes by using fire resistant building materials. Fire officials firmly believe that it is the combination of both Defensible Space and the hardening of homes that give a house the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

To assist homeowner’s preparation for wildfires, CAL FIRE plans to launch a new website during Wildfire Awareness Week, which provides residents the steps to make their home more resistant to wildfires and to ensure that their family is ready to evacuate early and safely when wildfire strikes. The website is www.ReadyForWildfire.org.