Download Wildfire Ready Neighbors Flyer (PDF, 339 KB)

1. Sign Up and Survey: Tap the sign-up link and complete a brief survey about your property and current wildfire preparedness. This helps our experts understand your specific situation.

2. Receive Your Plan and Consultation: Based on your survey responses, you will receive a customized Wildfire Ready Plan. Our local wildfire experts will schedule a consultation with you to discuss your plan and answer any questions you may have.

3. Take Action: Implement the recommendations in your Wildfire Ready Plan. Take steps to protect your property, connect with local resources, and encourage your neighbors to join the program.

• • Wildfire Ready Neighbors Signed Up: Join the growing number of community members taking proactive steps to prepare for wildfire.
  • Requests for In-Person Home Visits or Forest Health Consultations: Benefit from personalized advice and support from our local experts.
  • Actions Participants Committed to Take on Their Properties: Every action counts. Commit to making your property safer today.

Sign Up Now!

By participating in the Wildfire Ready Neighbors program, you’re making a significant contribution to the safety and resilience of your community. Don’t wait—start preparing today!

As summer rolls in and temperatures rise, water activities become a favorite pastime for many. Whether lounging by the pool, heading to the beach, or taking a dip in a lake, ensuring water safety is crucial to preventing accidents and enjoying the season to the fullest. Here’s a comprehensive guide to staying safe around water this summer.

1. Know Your Swimming Abilities

Before diving in:

1. Assess your swimming skills honestly.
2. If you’re not a strong swimmer, stick to shallow areas and stay within your depth.
3. Consider taking swimming lessons to improve your abilities.

For non-swimmers or those still learning, life jackets are a must for any water activity, including boating and kayaking.

2. Supervise and Be Supervised

Never swim alone. Having a buddy or being in a supervised area is essential, especially for children. Designate a responsible adult to monitor swimmers and avoid distractions like phones or reading materials. Children should always be within arm’s reach of an adult in the water, regardless of their swimming ability.

3. Understand Water Conditions

Different bodies of water come with their own set of risks. Always check weather conditions before heading out. Be aware of rip currents and adhere to any warnings or advisories for beaches. If you’re swimming in lakes or rivers, be cautious of currents, underwater obstacles, and sudden changes in depth.

4. Use Proper Safety Gear

Life jackets, floatation devices, and water safety equipment are vital for preventing accidents. Ensure that life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard-approved and fit correctly. When appropriate, wear a helmet and other protective gear for activities like paddleboarding or kayaking. Wearing a life jacket in unfamiliar or challenging conditions is a wise choice, even for strong swimmers.

5. Practice Pool Safety

For those using private or public pools, follow these essential safety tips:

• Supervision: Never leave children unattended near or in a pool.
• Barriers: Ensure pools are surrounded by secure fencing with self-latching gates.
• Rules: Follow all posted pool rules and regulations.
• Rescue Equipment: Familiarize yourself with the location of life rings, reaching poles, and first aid kits.

6. Be Prepared for Emergencies

Knowing basic first aid and CPR can significantly impact an emergency. Enroll in courses offered by organizations like the Red Cross to learn these vital skills. Familiarize yourself with the nearest emergency services and keep a first aid kit accessible near water.

7. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents in or near water. To maintain full awareness and control, avoid consuming these substances before or during water activities.

8. Stay Hydrated and Use Sunscreen

Spending time in the sun can lead to dehydration and sunburn. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if swimming or sweating.

9. Learn and Follow Local Guidelines

Each location may have specific safety guidelines based on local conditions. Pay attention to posted signs, and heed advice from lifeguards or local authorities. If you’re vacationing, research the area’s water safety recommendations beforehand.

10. Be Mindful of Wildlife

When swimming in natural bodies of water, be aware of local wildlife. Some areas may have dangerous creatures such as jellyfish, crocodiles, or aggressive fish. Understand the risks and take necessary precautions to avoid encounters.

Conclusion

Summer water activities can be a delightful and refreshing way to enjoy the season, but safety must always come first. By following these tips, you can minimize risks and focus on having fun. Remember, a little preparation and vigilance go a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer around the water. Dive in responsibly and make the most of the sunny days ahead!

As we get closer to Independence Day, SE Thurston Fire Authority urges you to be extremely careful when handling fireworks. Thousands of people are injured or killed due to firework related accidents around the 4th of July every year, and many of them can be prevented with some simple safety precautions.

• Never light fireworks indoors
• Always stand clear of fireworks after lighting
• Wear eye protection if you are lighting fireworks or nearby when they are lit
• Do not attempt to handle or relight fireworks that failed to go off
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks

Simply being quick and covering your eyes may not be enough. More than just your eyes and fingers are at risk of firework related injury.

• 34% of injuries involved the head, face, ears, or eyes
• 28% of injuries involved the hands or fingers
• 24% of injuries involved the legs
• 14% of injuries involved the torso or other areas

Be careful around fireworks, and always call 911 in case of medical emergencies or fires.

Every second counts in an emergency, and valuable time can be lost if your address number is not immediately clear to responders. SE Thurston Firefighters Association offers high visibility signs in an effort to solve the problem.

The cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated are some of the fastest growing cities in the state. More housing developments and new addresses can lead to greater confusion for residents and emergency personnel alike. Though such housing developments dot the landscape, rural areas remain, with long driveway entrances leading to homes that can be difficult to locate from the road.

Our high visibility signs display house numbers with three-inch reflective numbers and are visible up to 300 feet away, day or night. The signs, attached to a metal post, are meant to be installed near driveways to allow emergency responders to quickly identify a home’s address.

Medical emergencies make up the majority of SE Thurston Fire’s calls. Cardiac arrest, diabetic shock and accident injuries are the most common, each with its own set of complications that increase as each minute goes by while the victim waits for aid.

Signs may be ordered from the SE Thurston Firefighter’s Association for $20 (plus $4 for the metal post). SE Thurston Fire offers free installation within their service area for those who purchase the sign and the metal post together.

To order a sign, download this PDF form and mail it to our office.

Make checks payable & mail to:

S.E. Thurston Firefighter Association
High Visibility Address Signs
PO Box 777
Yelm, WA 98597

For additional details or questions, please call us at 360-458-2799. In Case of an Emergency call 911.

Sold by S.E. Thurston Fire Association.

Click on the image below to download the order form.