Lucia Risk Reduction and Fire Protection Consulting

Coming to your neighborhood soon, are you ready? Do you have defensible space ? Make your wildfire plan now !

California’s rainfall is at historic lows. That spells trouble for wildfires and farms.

Security versus Fire Safety Tips for Home Escape Have working smoke alarms in each bedroom. You also need one outside each sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Mount alarms in the basement. Test all smoke alarms once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarms are working.... Draw a map of your home. Show all doors and windows. Find at least two ways out of every room. Choose an outside meeting place. It should be a safe distance from the home. It should be visible from the street. Talk about the plan with everyone in your home. Have a fire drill in your home twice a year. Make sure all exits can be opened easily from the inside. This includes barred doors and windows. Choose security bars that have quick-release devices. Make sure everyone in the home can open them. fact A window guard or gate or a window stop or wedge, can keep a child from falling out of an open window. Make sure security bars have quick- release devices: Quick-release security bars In some areas, laws have been passed about security bars. In many places, codes and laws require the security bars have a quick-release device. NFPA Life Safety Code states that all ways out must be opened easily from inside. Tools, keys, or special effort should not be needed to escape. Ask your fire department or housing official about the laws in your area. Ask community leaders to get funds to update the security bars. This will help more people have quick-release bars. Ask the fire department for a presentation on security bars See more

Rattlesnake Safety 2021 The recent warm days all around the San Diego County area has brought out the snake family’s. The warm weather has awakened our snake community and as they explore their surroundings, the local human population's concerns for safety have started the 2020 "snake sightings" and the associated concerns. ...Continue reading

As you gaze out your window sipping your morning coffee, do you see your mature landscaping lush from recent rains? In the blink of an eye, we will see our annual wildfires on the morning and evening news. Very little rain and snow are expected across California over the next few weeks, and what the clouds have dropped in the Sierra Nevada so far is about half of average for this time of year.... That has scientists worried California is headed not only for prolonged drought, but a fire season similar to or worse than the one that devastated the state in 2020. We all really have no control over weather but we do have the ability to reduce wildfire fuels and reduce the risk of sparks and embers invading our properties and homes. Take a walk around your property today and evaluate how well your mature landscaping will resist a 2021 wildfire. We can help you build a plan of action to be ready. Call us today at 760-644-9933

When you have a cooking fire in your kitchen, call 911 immediately before attempting extinguishment. Keep a lid nearby when you're cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Do not try to move a burning pan from the stove. Have an ABC portable fire extinguisher in your kitchen area to use in ...the event your first extinguishment efforts fail. Do not use water on a cooking fire. Keep the fire department coming to confirm the fire is out and has not extended to the void spaces over the cabinets. The fire department will also be able to remove smoke from your house and provide a fire report for your insurance company. See more

SAN MARCOS, Calif. A brush fire sparked in the arboretum of Palomar College in San Marcos Thursday and burned at least 50 acres, briefly threatening the surrounding neighborhood before crews got a handle on the flames. The community college’s main campus is located off West Mission Road near Comet Circle, and a plume of smoke rising from the area could be seen across North County. According to the college, the fire sparked in its arboretum around 12:30 p.m. and facilities staff immediately called 911. San Marcos Fire Department led an aggressive air and ground attack with help from Cal Fire San Diego, San Diego Fire-Rescue and several other local agencies. By 3 p.m., authorities said that the blaze had burned about 50 acres but crews had stopped the fire from spreading any further.

Watch this if you can, a good reality check

Christmas Tree Removal Don’t wait for your tree to dry out before removing it. As trees dry out, they become more likely to become fire hazards. First, remove the tree stand, tree skirt, all ornaments and lights before throwing out your live Christmas tree. Have a bucket or other large container nearby to dump water that may have collected in the tree stand. Next, use a large, plastic tree bag to cover the tree before removing it from the inside of your home. You can also use... an old blanket or sheet to wrap around the tree. This will prevent needles and sap from making a mess on your carpet or hardwood floors. Finally, carry the tree to the curb, making sure not to obstruct any roads or sidewalks. Arrange for pickup by your local yard waste management program if you don't already have this service.