By Fiona de Young, Community Relations Manager

As we continue to unite together to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus, community risk reduction has taken on greater meaning than ever before. The last few weeks have been challenging, there is no doubt about that. The silver lining is seeing communities around the world come together to combat the spread. Here at the Rincon Valley Fire District, we are monitoring the changes on a daily basis and updating our procedures accordingly.

With millions of people under shelter-in-place orders in Arizona, and the dry season upon us, one of the major concerns is fire safety. Virtual meetings, social isolation, and homeschooling have required many adjustments and changes in infrastructure. How we manage this ongoing social isolation is key to our physical and emotional wellbeing.

Typically, our firefighters would be available to help you with home safety inspections such as checking smoke alarms. For now, you can run these checklists using the tools on our Web site at www.rinconvalleyfd.org/fire-prevention. In the absence of fire drills at school and work, we recommend running through the Home Fire Escape Plan with the entire family:

  • Draw a map of your home.
  • Show all doors and windows.
  • Visit each room.
  • Find two ways out.
  • All windows and doors should open easily.
  • You should be able to use them to get outside.
  • Make sure your home has smoke alarms.
  • Push the test button to make sure each alarm is working.
  • Pick a meeting place outside. It should be in front of your home.
  • Everyone will meet at the meeting place.
  • Make sure your house or building number can be seen from the street.
  • Talk about your plan with everyone in your home.
  • Learn the emergency phone number for your fire department.
  • Practice your home fire escape drill!

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Using these tools will help all individuals in the home manage increased risk. Though the virus has extended its crown-like tentacles into all our lives — and caused an unprecedented chain reaction in the process — we are stronger through our community spirit and shared efforts to protect each other. Check-out these and other resources available on our Web site or call us at 520-647-3760 to discuss any fire safety concerns. Stay safe and stay healthy, we will get through this together.

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