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TextHealth and Safety Podcast Transcript: Nov. 4, 2008
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast for Nov. 4, 2008. I’m Jim Person, Fairfax County emergency information officer. Coming up, learn about avoiding a vehicle collision with a deer and fireplace safety. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
Did you know that Virginia had the eighth highest total number of deer-vehicle collisions in the United States over the 2007-08 time period? According to Drive Smart Virginia, an estimated 54,000 (54,135) drivers have collided with deer. These issues are not isolated to rural areas of the state; Fairfax County has a very active deer population, and particularly at this time of year, police urge motorists to drive cautiously.
Deer are especially active from pre-dawn to mid-morning and from dusk to early evening – right about the time when many Fairfax County residents are going to and from work or school. So, remember the following safety tips:
- Be aware of posted “Deer Crossing” signs. They are placed in areas known for high deer traffic.
- Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles; they may not work.
- Drivers should use their high-beams when there is no on-coming traffic for a better view of the edge of adjacent woods and fields.
- Do not swerve to miss a deer. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle, strike a tree or another vehicle or to overturn. Those types of accidents result in far more fatalities than auto-deer crashes.
If you cannot avoid hitting a deer, slow down and grasp the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Take your foot off the brake at the time of impact so the front end of your vehicle will lift up and enable the deer to go under the car, rather than over it – reducing the danger of it crashing through the windshield or windows. If the animal is injured or killed, report the collision through the county’s non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.
As outdoor temperatures drop and residents take measures to keep themselves warm this winter, fire incidents involving fireplaces may increase. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department would like to remind you of some important safety tips:
- Have your chimney inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary.
- After cleaning the fireplace, store ashes in a non-combustible container with a tight fitting lid and place the container away from the house.
- Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended.
- Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Dispose of ashes in a metal container. Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them in a metal container. It can take up to four days for ashes to cool down.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately when a fire occurs. Residents should not attempt to extinguish a fire themselves.
For more seasonal fire and life safety information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
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