Holiday Safety Reminders
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elp keep your home safe this holiday season with some tips from the Golden Fire Department (GFD):
CLEARING SNOW 1. If you have a fire hydrant in or near your yard, you are encouraged to help us keep it clear of snow, or at least avoid piling snow upon it. 2. Be mindful of your address numbers and make sure they are kept visible and uncovered by snow. 3. Maintain clear access to the home (or accessory dwelling unit), and keep it clear of obstructions and snow or ice.
MAINTAINING HEALTHY INDOOR AIR 1. Regularly test your carbon monoxide
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1. Ship it to work. Keep your package off the porch in the first place. If your employer allows, consider shipping your packages to your workplace instead of your home. 2. Recruit a neighbor’s help. Do you have a neighbor or a friend that is usually home? If so, see if they can wait for your package or keep an eye out for it. 3. Require a signature. Consider requesting a signature for your package to be dropped off. That way, your package will not be left on your porch exposed to potential thieves.
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and smoke alarm batteries to detect mindful that RE THE WEST LIVE WHE S any emergencies caused by furnaces some lights are FI E or fireplaces. only for indoor RE RESC U 2. Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents or outdoor use. need to be inspected at least once 2. Replace any string of lights with a year for soundness, freedom from worn or broken cords or loose bulb deposits, and correct clearances. connections. Read manufacturer’s 3. To avoid carbon monoxide – known instructions for number of light as “the silent killer” because it is strands to connect. colorless and odorless - be mindful 3. Never use lit candles to decorate the of keeping accumulations of snow on tree. the roof or near fresh air inlets into 4. Always turn off Christmas tree lights crawl spaces or basements that are before leaving home or going to bed. near the ground around some homes. Yes, the cold and snowy winter can cause problems. But remember, snow CHECK YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS! 1. Use holiday lights that are listed by is essential for replenishing our most a qualified testing laboratory. Be precious resource—water. THINK SNOW!
Don’t Fall Victim to “Porch Pirates” he holiday season is here, and with many packages being delivered to homes and apartments, no one wants to become a victim of package theft. The Golden Police Department has seen an increase in property crimes such as package theft and we want to help prevent you from falling victim to “porch pirates” If you are looking for FREE or lowcost solutions to prevent porch pirates from taking your packages, try the TEN following solutions.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT 4. Be proactive. If you are sending a package, ask the marking the “gift” checkbox when you recipient to share information on the purchase so the package comes in a safest way for them to receive deliveries. plain box. You can also request this of 5. Take advantage of alternative friends and family, so your box does not delivery options and alerts. grab attention. FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS 9. Install a video doorbell. all have alternative pickup and delivery Strategically placed security cameras, options available. Visit their websites or devices like video doorbells and lock to explore your options and update boxes, can also go a long way in reducing your delivery preferences. You can package theft and have increased in also sign up for delivery alerts to track popularity for their ability to catch your package and stay up to date on thieves in the act. delivery times. 10. Report theft and suspicious 6. Get technical. behavior. Consider investing in low-cost If you are the unfortunate victim of a technologies like automatic light timers package theft, you should report it to the and motion-censored lights. Golden Police Department and shipping 7. Keep your porch clear and visible. company. Call 911 for in-progress thefts, It may seem counter-intuitive, but if a or call 303-980-7300 for incidents not thief has no place to hide, they are less in-progress. You can easily report thefts likely to take the risk of going up to your online at GoldenPolice.net or through porch in the first place. the CRIMEWATCH app after signing up 8. Ask for your box to be nondescript. and subscribing to the Golden Police Ordering from a high-end store? Consider Department.