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Utility Scam Awareness
Scammers are targeting utility customers at twice the rate over previous years, Particularly those that are most vulnerable. To date of 30,000 customers have reported scams to utility providers within the state of California. Here are some helpful tips for everyone to recognize potential scams.
Signs of potential scams:
- Threat to disconnect services.
- Requests for immediate payment.
- Request for pre-paid cards for payments.
- Refund or rebate offers.
How customers can protect themselves:
- Never purchase a pre-paid card to avoid service disconnection.
- If you have doubts about a call you receive, disconnect the call and contact your utility provider directly.
- Signing up for online account information is an additional safety precaution if available.
Enjoying a Safe Holiday Season
From late November to mid-January, when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes, safety should be top priority. Following is tried-and-true advice to ensure your friends, family & loved ones remain safe and injury-free throughout the season.
Traveling for the Holidays? Be Prepared
If you're traveling this year, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency. Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. Hundreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts, for more information visit: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/holiday-introduction/ . Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of these fatalities.
Stay safe on the roads over the holidays — and every day:
● Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you.
● Get a good night’s sleep before departing and avoid drowsy driving.
● Leave early & plan for heavy traffic.
● Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up no matter how long or short the distance traveled.
● Put the cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, cell phones provide the largest distraction.
● Practice defensive driving.
● Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter medications, prescriptions can cause impairment.
Decorate Safely
Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday spirit, but emergency rooms & veterinarians see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorations every season.
When decorating follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
● Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis – away from children & pets.
● If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”.
● If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water the tree regularly and remove it from your home when it is dry.
● Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways.
● Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children & pets can reach them.
● Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights.
● Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
● Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket.
● Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and/or snow.
● Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
Watch Out for Fire-Starters
Candles and Fireplaces
Use of candles and fireplaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations in many homes during the holidays, means more risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association reports that one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and that two of every five decoration fires happen because the decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
● Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of children.
● Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children in a locked cabinet.
● Use flameless, rather than lighted, candles near flammable objects.
● Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the fireplace.
● Use a screen on the fireplace at all times when a fire is burning.
● Never leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended or when you are asleep or away from home.
● Check and clean the chimney and fireplace area at least once a year.
Turkey Fryers
Be alert to the dangers if you're thinking of celebrating the holidays by frying a turkey. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there have been hundreds turkey-fryer related fires, burns or other injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage losses from these incidents.
The National Safety Council discourages the use of turkey fryers at home and urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments or consider using an oil-less turkey fryer.
If you must fry your own turkey, follow all U.S. Fire Administration turkey fryer guidelines:
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