Safety Message from Fountain Fire Chief Darin Anstine

LET'S THINK PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION

It's important to think about safety for our community and your family.

School is back in session and a lot of children walk to school. In Fountain there are several schools zones drivers need to be aware of: 1. Fountain Mesa Road, 2. Santa Fe Avenue, 3. Main Street, 4. Link Road and in front of the schools . Remember children walk to school and cross many roads, always watch for children at every intersection, not juts in the school zones.

Remember the following:

• FACT: Pedestrian safety is the responsibility of BOTH the drivers on the roadway and the pedestrians.
• FACT: NO vehicle can 'Stop on a Dime.' The average passenger vehicle traveling 40 mph is moving 59 feet per second, and would take a minimum of 189 feet to come to a complete stop.
• FACT: Vehicles on Highway 85, (Santa Fe), commonly travel at 40-50 mph, and some of the more reckless people may drive even faster.
• FACT: When a vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the pedestrian is always the more seriously injured party, regardless of who may be at fault.

TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS:

1. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
2. Cross in the crosswalk.
3. Follow the pedestrian signal, not the overhead traffic signal.
4. Do not begin to cross the street once the red hand flashes on the pedestrian signal.
5. Wear visible clothing.

TIPS FOR MOTORISTS:

1. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections. It’s the LAW.
2. Be cautious in areas that draw children such as around ice cream trucks and schools.
3. Don't speed or run red lights.
4. If your making a right hand turn at an intersection make sure you look to the RIGHT for pedestrians ready to cross the street.
5. Obey the 20 mph limit in school zones.

TEACHING YOUR CHILD:
Just what can you do to protect your children against injury or death resulting from a pedestrian accident? First of all set boundaries for your small children. Show them where they can play safely and the limits beyond which they cannot go. Be prepared to enforce your rules.
Second, as your children grow older teach them the basic rules for crossing the street safely. One of the best ways to do this is to take a walk with them demonstrating and explaining the correct way to cross as you go along. Being a good example every time you cross the street with them, might be the most important thing you do in helping your children become careful pedestrians. Children will imitate what they see adults and teenagers do. If you walk out between parked cars, jaywalk or cross against the light, more than likely your children will too.
Children need to be taught to STOP at the edge of the street and look Left-Right and Left again for vehicles before crossing. Ask children what they see to determine that they know what they are looking for and not just turning their heads.
Intersections are more complex. Children need to look over their shoulder for vehicles that may be turning as they are looking left-right and left. Remember that even if there is a stop sign or a signal light drivers do not always obey the rules. Children should be taught to wait until the vehicle stops before venturing out into the street. And when the light turns green, they should look for turning vehicles before stepping out into the street or crosswalk. Just because they can see a driver doesn't mean the driver has noticed them.

Barbecue / Grilling Safety

Make sure that the next time you light up your backyard grill, you do it safely!
Each year, about 600 fires/explosions nationally occur with gas grills resulting in injuries to about 30 people. Propane gas is highly flammable. The new safety standard for propane gas tanks requires that an "over-fill prevention device" be installed in new gas tanks. The new propane gas tanks have valve handles with three "lobes" (prongs) while older tanks have valve handles with five prongs. People with older propane gas tanks should trade them in for the new, safer tanks.
Each year about 19 people die nationally as a result of CO fumes from charcoal being burned inside. Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it is burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments.
Gas Grill Safety Tips
·  Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
·  Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.
·  Always keep propane gas containers upright.
·  Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors.
·  Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.
·  Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.
Charcoal Grill Safety Tips
·  Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers.
·  Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.
·  Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.