Happy New Year!

I hope all of our citizens have had a wonderful and safe Christmas and a very happy New Years holiday!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our local families who have experienced loss of loved ones and loss of their homes recently.

Let’s make 2018 a standout year for Jasper County when it comes to safety and preparedness. While you are in the midst of making your New Year’s Resolutions, might I implore you to add a few more. A few resolutions that just might save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

•Fresh batteries and testing of your smoke detectors, with one detector for EACH bedroom as well as one detector on every level of your home. That includes attics and basements. And of course one in your kitchen and laundry rooms.

•A fire extinguisher in your kitchen that is properly charged and easily accessible.

•Establish and PRACTICE your fire escapes plan! Seriously, don’t just assume you’ll jog out in the middle of the night.

•30 years ago you had about 17 minutes to escape a fire at night. With current home construction and highly-combustible furnishings you have….only 3-4 minutes to escape. Please read that again.

•Wear your seatbelt AT ALL TIMES! Even for a quick run around the corner. It’s not your driving that you need protection from…it’s the other distracted driver that you need protection from.

•Speaking of distracted…make a resolution to put the phone down. Don’t text and drive.

Car Seats

•Rear-facing until 2 years old

•No winter coats on while strapped in

•Kids are in the back until age 13. Dealing with the pouting of changing your standard now is better than dealing with an injured child in a front seat later.

•Get CPR certified. Be on the lookout in the coming months for community CPR classes as well as certified classes. My personal goal is to have every Jasper County citizen CPR-trained!

Jasper, please look out for each other and stay safe this year. If you need your Fire/Rescue Department, we are only a call away. Your local dispatchers, law enforcement, and Fire/Rescue members are here for you!

Stay safe Jasper!