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Safe Driving Standards

Article originally posted on the Nisqually Valley News, January 18, 2022

As roads become wet, snowy or icy this winter, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) cautions motor-vehicle operators to follow safe practices when driving on state highways and interstates.

Robert Reyer, district one public information officer for WSP, said it’s important to follow best practices when encountering winter roads this season.

“What’s very important to know is … some people — I saw it on my social media channel — they said, ‘Well I was only going 15 miles an hour and I still ended up in the barrier.’ So if the road is icy, 15 miles an hour can be too fast,” Reyer said. “Sometimes, 5 miles an hour or even less is safer.”

He said people risk their own lives and the lives of others when they drive recklessly during inclement weather, which causes dangerous road conditions that are common this time of year.

“When you go a little bit too fast for the conditions — it could be rain, it could be snow, it could be ice — you always have to be aware that the person in front of you … might be doing something unpredictable,” Reyer said.

He said the person may spin or stop quickly, putting the driver behind them in a dangerous situation. If someone is following another vehicle too closely, they’ll have to react to the car in front of them. 

“What happens is, now you are going to spin too, because you have to slam on your brakes and you have to twerk your wheel,” Reyer said.

In addition to driving at a slower speed, drivers should give the vehicle ahead of them more space.

“The danger is that now, because you are following too closely and because you are going a little bit too fast, you don’t have the chance to just slightly apply your brakes and come to a safe stop,” Reyer said. “You will also lose control and end up in a ditch or hit a car or end up in a barrier.”

He said people could destroy their vehicles or experience an insurance-rate hike due to a minor collision.

This is especially true with overnight freezes that drivers may be unaware of.

“I think the most important thing to say and for people to understand, is sometimes people don’t see ice, especially when it’s still dark out or when it gets dark at night,” Reyer said. “Very thin layers of ice are almost invisible. But you will notice it very quickly — once you hit that ice — that you will lose all control of your vehicle.”

All types of vehicles are at risk when winter conditions hit the roadways including large trucks and cars with four-wheel drive, he said.

Other tips Reyer gave for winter driving include not driving impaired or drowsy because reaction times lessen under those circumstances.

He said people should leave early to accommodate their own tempered speed, or the reduced speed of others. A lot of accidents happen because people are rushing to get to work or to an appointment on time, Reyer said.

Drivers who go too fast for conditions can be stopped by WSP. Troopers can educate the person on their reckless driving or they can issue a ticket. Troopers are given the authority to determine what constitutes safe speeds and following distances in the case of wet, snowy or icy roads, Reyer said.

He said it’s WSP’s job to safeguard everyone who travels on the roadways.

“We care about our community in Thurston and Pierce counties as a district,” Reyer said. “We want our people to be safe. If people are experiencing a situation where they end up in a ditch, where they end up in a barrier … or stuck out in the middle of the freeway … make sure to call 911. Make sure to not run around on the freeway.”

Earlier this month, drivers experienced a slew of weather conditions that affected the roadways. There were hydroplaning conditions when the region received 3 to 4 inches of rain from Jan. 6 to Jan. 7, and icy conditions that took place on Jan. 3 and Jan. 4.

State Route 510 was closed near Reservation Road for three hours and 15 minutes on Jan. 3 and closed for four hours on Jan. 4. 

The closures were due to icy conditions that caused upwards of 15 collisions on the road during those two days, said Reyer.

Reyer said many of the collisions occurred simultaneously, with three collisions happening at the same time on Jan. 4. While no serious injuries took place, he said the spin-out collisions could have been worse.

“Road conditions were very, very bad,” he said. “It was icy and people were still going a little bit too fast for those icy road conditions, so they were unable to maintain control of their vehicles. They ended up in ditches and some of them hit other vehicles, too.”

Winter started on Dec. 21 and ends on March 20.

Fire Safety for the Kids

Fire safety is an important topic, especially when it comes to children. Making sure they have an early understanding of what to do in those situations can save lives. What’s a good resource for teaching them, though? We’re going to provide you with resources for teaching your children about fire safety, with a little fun thrown in as often as possible. 

Our first resource for you is safekids.org. Their page on fire safety provides some common tips (such as testing smoke alarms and practicing a family escape plan in case of a fire). Check it out and keep an eye out for more safety tips to share with your kids!

When to Use a Fire Extinguisher

When Should We Use a Fire Extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers are best used when a fire is contained in a small area, like a wastebasket, and when the fire department has already been called.

Does your family know where the fire extinguisher is located in your home?

Have you practiced, with your family, the proper use of a fire extinguisher?

How Do You Use a Fire Extinguisher?

  1. Stand back 

  2. Discharge extinguisher

  3.  Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher

  4.  Aim the extinguisher nozzle on the hose low toward the base of the fire

  5.  Squeeze the handle or lever to discharge the extinguisher

  6.  Sweep the nozzle back and forth.

Drive Safe Out There!

We get our fair share of rain here in the Pacific Northwest, but sometimes Mother Nature decides that we need some snow, instead. 

We wanted to remind you to be safe in this snow. It’s safest to stay home. If you have to get out, however, here are a few tips to follow for safe driving:

  • Drive Slowly – It’s harder to stop and control your vehicle on slick roads.
  • Increase Following Distance – If it’s harder for you to stop, then it is the same for other drivers. Give them space to avoid any accidents.
  • Stock Your Vehicle – Keep blankets, flashlights, jumper cables, and flares or emergency lights in your vehicle. These things will be helpful if you are forced to wait for aid in the cold.
  • For more details on safe driving in inclement weather, check out the National Highway Safety Administration’s website.

Stay safe. Stay warm. Remember:

SE Thurston Fire Responds to Commercial Fire in Yelm

From the Nisqually Valley News:

Crews from SE Thurston Fire responded to a commercial structure fire in Yelm shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22.

The fire took place in the 900 block of Yelm Avenue East. Crews remained on scene in the morning and the cause of the fire is under investigation, according to a social media post from SE Thurston Fire. 

 

 

According to Kiro 7, three businesses were destroyed. The news outlet reported video from the scene showed Happy Feet Spa, Red Nail salon and the Freedom Training Center saw obvious damage. 

East Olympia Fire District 6, Lacey Fire District Three, the Olympia Fire Department and South Thurston Fire and EMS responded, as well as the Bald Hills Fire Department. 

This story will be updated on the Nisqually Valley News website as new information is available.

Merry Christmas!

SE Thurston Fire Authority wishes all of you a Merry Christmas!

The  SE Thurston Fire Authority, also referred to as Yelm and Rainier Fire Department, urges residents to protect their homes by practicing fire safety during the holiday season.

Decorations including candles, lights, and Christmas trees are festive, but without safety precautions, they can become fire hazards.

  • Regularly check your tree for fresh, green needles. Trees that have dried out over several weeks burn faster than fresher, well-watered trees. Remember to keep your tree watered daily. 
  • Keep your tree at least three feet from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, heating vents, and other sources of heat. 
  • Don’t place the tree where it blocks an exit. 
  • Check light strings for damage before decorating and turn off your holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed. 
  • When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree cannot catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. 
  • Place candles and candle holders on a non-flammable surface to catch the melting candle wax. Never leave lit candles unattended. 
  • Use a fire screen to keep embers and logs from escaping when using a fireplace. Make sure all embers are fully extinguished before turning in for the night. 
  • Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries, if needed. 

Candle Safety is Important!

It’s December and Christmas is coming soon. That also means that more candles are being used. SE Thurston Fire Authority wants to ensure that you have the information to safely enjoy those candles this season. Here are a few helpful tips you should know:

  • Keep your candles 1 foot away from anything that could catch fire. A candle is an open flame and should be treated like any other open-flamed situation.
  • Make sure your candles are in a holder that won’t tip easily.
  • Don’t use candles in a space where oxygen is also being used.

For some more tips, check out the National Fire Protection Association’s tip sheet here! Enjoy your holidays and, most importantly, celebrate safely!