Winter Safety Tips

Help protect the ones you care about most by talking about these tips from the Hillsboro Fire Department and the Hillsboro Police Department.

Fire Safety

• Home fires happen more often in winter as cooking and heating needs increase. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn off the stove if you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Do not put your live Christmas tree up too early, and take it down before it dries out.
• Keep your tree stand filled with water at all times, and place the tree at least three feet from any heating source.
• Consider using “flameless” candles that operate by battery with the look and scent of real candles.

Holiday Shopping

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Always lock your vehicle.
• Don’t leave gifts or valuables in plain sight in your vehicle when shopping. If you must leave them in your vehicle, conceal them in the trunk before you arrive at your destination.
• Carry only what you need.  Don’t leave your purse or shopping bags unattended.
• Be alert to your surroundings, and those who try to distract you.
• Locate your keys before returning to your vehicle.

At Home 

• If you expect a package delivery and aren’t planning to be home, consider having the package sent to your workplace or a trusted neighbor.

• Door to door charitable solicitations are discouraged.  If you want to donate, seek out organizations you’ve researched and know are legitimate.

On the Road

• Don’t drink and drive, instead plan ahead and make arrangements for a designated driver.
• If you suspect someone is driving impaired, keep a safe distance and call 9-1-1.

Summer Safety Tips

With the right tools and preparation, summertime can be a relaxing time for you and your family. Keep everyone healthy, happy, and safe this season with tips from the City of Hillsboro Fire, Police, and Water departments.

Around Your Home

• Regularly maintain shrubs and hedges around the property to prevent sight lines from being blocked.
• Keep your garage door closed unless you need to access the garage.
• Adjust your sprinklers to water your lawn and garden, not the street or sidewalk.
• Water early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) or later in the evening (after 6 p.m.) when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimized.
• Water established lawns about one inch per week (a bit more during hot, dry weather). Use a watering gauge or tuna can, along with a timer, to determine how long it takes your sprinkler to water one inch.

Bicycles

Backyard Burning

• Outdoor burning of yard debris is prohibited year round within Hillsboro city limits.
• Recreational fires, such as backyard fire pits, chimineas, or barbecues are not restricted within Hillsboro city limits.

Campfires

• Keep a shovel and one gallon of water near while building and tending campfires. 
• Only adults should build and maintain campfires.
• Find a shady spot away from dry logs, overhanging branches, bushes, needles, or leaves.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• When leaving, make sure your fire is dead out. Very carefully feel all sticks and charred remains. Make sure no roots are smoldering. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.

Children Home for Summer

• Make sure that the child has a list of phone numbers (neighbors, friends, family) that they can call if they should become frightened or in the event of an emergency.
• Assure that they know how to call 911 and when it is appropriate to do so.
• Establish house rules for use of the computer, especially the Internet. Make sure the child knows never to give out personal information on the computer.

Fireworks

• Include fireworks in your July Fourth celebration by attending a public display.
• Always purchase fireworks from an Oregon licensed fireworks location.
• Always have an adult present when using fireworks.
• Never allow children to use or play with matches or lighters.
• If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
• Have a hose or a bucket of water handy for emergencies and to douse misfired and spent fireworks.

Grilling

• Before lighting a barbecue, eliminate everything that may be hanging overhead and move the grill a safe distance away from trees, buildings, and other things that can burn.
• Keep a three-foot safe zone around grills, fire pits, and campfires.
• Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill.
• Use long-handled barbecue tools.
• Never leave a burning grill unattended.

Heat Wave

• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Always apply sunscreen to children ages six (6) months and older. Reapply it after swimming or sweating.

Lawn Mowers

• Start and refuel mowers outdoors, not in a garage or shed. Mowers should be refueled with the motor turned off and cool.
• Make sure that sturdy shoes are worn while mowing.
• Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.

Pool Safety

• Fasten a safety cover over the pool when it is not in use and remove ladders to further prevent access into the pool.
• Children near or in a pool should always be accompanied by an adult in the water. Young or inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket.
• Take a CPR course for adults and children to be prepared if an emergency situation occurs.

Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Test smoke alarms once a month by depressing the test button. The test button is designed to test the entire system.
• Clean smoke alarms at least twice a year. Simply attach the soft brush attachment to your vacuum and clean the face of the smoke alarm.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas on each floor of your home. Be sure to locate detectors at least five- to six-feet away from any fuel-burning appliances.

Vacation

• Cancel newspapers until further notice.
• Do not advertise your absence by posting your vacations activities or plans on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.
• Disable all GPS applications on your mobile devices; i.e. Google Latitude.
• Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to look in on the house daily. Request them to pick-up flyers and mail. Invite them to use your driveway.
• Consider shutting down any lawn irrigation systems while you are away.
• Shut off the hot and cold water feed lines to your washing machine…this is the number one culprit with summer water line breaks

Windows

• Only allow windows to open four (4) inches, and install window stops and/or window guards that can be removed by an adult in an emergency.
• Prevent climbing. Keep furniture and anything a child can climb on away from windows.