Staying Safe

By Mike Conrad, Division Chief Operations Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District

So far Mother Nature has been very good to us. We are getting rain and the timing has been good. Most storms have been overnight which has affected less people than daytime storms might. The spacing between the storms has also been great allowing enough time between storms for the ground to soak up the water and not provide dangerous runoff and flooding.

However as we get into February the ground is plenty saturated so not only will we see more runoff issues, but wind will start to topple more trees causing power outages as well as road closures. Make sure you and your families are prepared for future storms.

If you have not done so already, now is the time between storms to finish your storm preparedness as well as ensuring that your home is ready for additional storms. Make sure drainage around your house is proper, start with the gutters and downspouts to make sure they are clear and drain away from your property (and not on to your neighbor’s). If you are in an area prone to flooding, have filled sandbags and rolls of plastic onsite ready to be used if necessary. Be sure that your home heating system is functioning properly, have your heater checked and or your chimney inspected and cleaned. NEVER, never use fire pits, BBQ’s or other outdoor heat producing devices in your home. These devices all produce Carbon Monoxide and can kill.

Have your cars checked to be sure they are winterized and ready for more rain and wet roads. Be sure your tires are good and properly inflated. Replace worn windshield wipers and check your defroster, you can’t drive safe if you can’t see.

Make sure you have plenty of food and water to get by if you are unable to get out for a few days. Have your first aid kit stocked and on hand just in case.

Keep informed on current and projected weather information. Consider installing a storm-alerting app on your phone. Code Red is an app that can be downloaded and used for all types of emergency notifications.

Taking the time now to be sure you are prepared for the next big storms will allow you to sit, relax and enjoy a good book in front of the fireplace or just connect with family during the storm which is a much better situation than running around in the rain and wind trying to protect your home.

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For more information visit the Santa Cruz County El Nino website at www.santacruzcounty.us/elnino for in-depth information on preparing for El Nino.