Realty World NOC
(714) 996-9601
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California leads the nation in drownings. These needless tragedies are the leading cause of accidental injury and death in children under the age of five and the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 14. In Southern California, drowning prevention and water safety should be practiced on a year-round basis with special emphasis during the summer months. Below are the ABC’s of water safety. By learning these water safety tips you and your child will learn how to prevent drownings.
A – Adult Supervision
Assign a “Water Watcher”
• Assign an adult “water watcher” who can swim to specifically watch the water.
• Designate an adult to supervise the children in and around the pool/spa area especially during social gatherings.
• Never leave children in or around a pool unattended – not even for one second.
• Take the children out of and away from the swimming pool/spa area for any distractions such as a telephone call or to use of restroom.
• Do not rely on flotation devices. They should not be used as a substitute for adult supervision.
• Post pool address and an emergency number.
 B – Barriers• Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool to isolate your swimming area from the home and play area.
• Use multiple layers of protection such as safety covers, gate alarms, door alarms and motion-detection devices Inspect them monthly.
• Make sure all gates are self-closing, self-latching and open outward away from the pool.
• Take away all objects that allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or climb over the fence.
C – Classes – “CPR”
• Learn CPR, first aid, and rescue techniques.
• Learn swim skills through on-going qualified instruction.
• Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd’s hook, life-saving ring, and CPR sign mounted by the pool to instruct others.
• Find out and understand the proper behavior in and around the water. Teach children the same behaviors.
What To Do If A Child Falls Into A Pool!
• Yell for help and check the scene to make sure that you can safely help the child.
• Get the child out of the pool and onto the pool deck.
• Check for consciousness by tapping and shouting, “are you okay?”
• If someone is with you, have them call 9-1-1. Determine if the child is breathing: tilt the head back, if you don’t hear or feel breathing or see the chest rising, give two (2) Rescue Breaths then check for a pulse.
• Begin Rescue Breathing or CPR immediately and continue until emergency help arrives.
• If you are alone and the child is not breathing and/or does not have a pulse, start Rescue Breathing or CPR immediately. After one minute, call 9-1-1. Return to the child and continue CPR until help arrives.
Nationwide Drowning Statistics
• In 2007, there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drownings in the U.S., averaging ten deaths per day.
• In 2007, males were four times more likely than females to die from unintentional drownings.
• More than one in five fatal drowning victims are children 14 and under. For every child who dies from drowning, another four received emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
• Although drowning rates have declined nationwide, fatal drowning remains the second leading cause of unntentional injury related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.
 * Stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
*Swimming and Recreational Water Safety - 2007.
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OCFA Offers Childhood Drowning Prevention & Water Safety Classes
OCFA offers drowning prevention and water safety classes for children and adults, featuring Stewie the Duck – a fun and colorful book – along with instruction from an Education Specialist. For more information or to schedule a class, contact OCFA Community Relations at (714) 573-6200.
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  Emergency Supply Checklist
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends taking a fewsimple steps to prepare for an earthquake or other disaster, including putting together an emergency supply kit with provisions for at least 72 hours. The list belowincludes basic necessities, but it’s important to consider individual and family needs in order to create a kit that
will meet those needs.
Basic Emergency Supply Kit
Water –1 gallon per person per day
Non-perishable food and non-electric can opener
Battery powered radio and extra batteries
Flashlights (one per person) and extra batteries
First aid kit, including manual
Prescription medications
Spare eyeglasses
Whistle to signal for help
Dust masks to help filter contaminated air
Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
Personal sanitation items (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
Toilet paper and garbage bags for waste
Tool kit, including wrench to turn off utilities
Heavy gloves for clearing debris
ABC fire extinguisher
Cooking/eating necessities, including cups, plates, utensils and paper towels
Local maps
Cash (small bills and change)
Copies of important family documents
Food and water for pet
Emergency Drinking Water
Because natural disasters or other emergencies can interrupt the water supply for hours, days or even weeks, it's critical that every household store enough water to meets its members' needs during times of crisis.
Most people need to drink at least two quarts (64 ounces) of water per day. Warm weather can double the amount needed as the body uses water for cooling. The amount of water you need will also depend on the total amount of juices, soups, other drinks and high moisture foods that are available. Additional water will be needed for food preparation and hygiene.
Individuals should consider having smaller portable emergency supply kits in their workplace and/or vehicle.
Treating Water for Storage
Commercially sold bottled water requires no treatment prior to storage. To treat tap water for storage, use liquid household chlorine bleach that contains 5.25% sodium hypochlorite according to the chart below:
4 drops bleach per quart or liter container of water
8 drops bleach per 2-quart, 2-liter, or 1/2 gallon container of water
16 drops bleach, or 1/4 teaspoon, per gallon or 4-liter container of water
Add bleach to the water in clean container, mix thoroughly by stirring or shaking and let stand for 30 minutes. Chlorine should be detectable by odor after the 30 minute waiting period. If the water does not smell like chlorine at that point, repeat the dose and let it stand another 15 minutes. Place caps on containers and attach labels describing the content and when each was prepared.
Water stored in metal containers should not be treated, prrior to storage, with chlorine since the chlorine compound is corrosive to most metals. Therefore, only very pure water should be stored in metal containers.
Water should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Because most plastic beverage containers degrade over time, store them away from heat and light to prevent leakage.
For More Information
Orange County Fire Authority
(714) 573-6200
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Change Your Clock - Check Your Alarm
www.ocfa.org
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A working smoke alarm in your home can mean the difference between life and death. Smoke alarms with batteries that are dead, disconnected, or missing cannot alert you to the dangers of smoke and fire. So, when you change your clock back this fall, check your smoke alarms, and if necessary change the battery.
The right way to install smoke alarms:
•Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home.
•Make sure that there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area.
•Local codes may require a smoke alarm inside every sleeping area.
•Alarms that are hard-wired should have battery backups in case of a power outage.
•If someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarmthat combines flashing lights, vibration and/or sound.
•For assistance or additional details on smoke alarms, contact Community Relations at (714) 573-6200 or a qualified electrician.
 Smoke Alarm Facts *Why do smoke alarms fail? Most often because
of missing, disconnected or dead batteries.
*A smoke alarm reduces your chance of
dying in a house fire by 50 percent.
Test Your Smoke Alarms Monthly
•Test your smoke alarms regularly.**
•Replace the batteries routinely.**
•Chirping indicates a weak battery.
•Never "borrow" a battery from a smoke alarm.
•Consider installing "long-life" (10-year) batteries.**
False Alarms
•If your smoke alarm is sounding "nuisance alarms," try relocating it farther from kitchens or bathrooms, where cooking fumes and steam can cause the alarm to sound.
•Consider photoelectric (PE) sensors near kitchens and bathrooms.
•Regularly vacuum or dust your smoke alarms.
•Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make a Plan
•Plan regular fire drills to ensure that everyone knows exactly what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.
•Know two ways out of each room.
•Have an outside meeting place.
Practice
•Hold a drill at night to make sure that sleeping family members awaken at the sound of the alarm.
The Orange County Fire Authority has experienced a 70% failure rate with smoke alarms in residential fires.
**Refer to Manufacturer's Recommendation specific to your smoke alarm
For More Information
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New Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
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Effective July 1, 2011, a new law may help prevent senseless carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the home. CO is formed from the incomplete burning of any flame-fueled (i.e., not electric) device including ranges, www.ocfa.org flame ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles, and water heaters. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous – when inhaled, it passes from the lungs into the hemoglobin molecules of red blood cells. The result is that the body becomes oxygen-starved, which can lead to tissue damage and death.
Many reported cases of carbon monoxide poisoning say that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disoriented that they are not able to save themselves by leaving the building or calling for assistance. Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to alert residents before exposure to CO causes a health hazard.
Per California Senate Bill 183, beginning July 1, 2011, all existing single family homes must have carbon monoxide alarms. All other types of residences (apartments, condominiums, etc.) will need carbon monoxide alarms beginning January 1, 2013. The law does not designate local fire departments as enforcing agencies.
Did You Know:
Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, and invisible gas.
Low levels of CO poisoning can cause shortness of breath, mild headaches, nausea, and fainting.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States according to the American Medical Association.
The new requirements apply if ANY of the following are present within a home:
• Attached garage
• Natural gas or propane furnace and/or natural gas range and/or oven, or
• Gas or wood-burning fireplace
 For existing homes, the CO alarms may be battery powered. At a minimum, CO alarms are required:
• Outside of each sleeping area or bedroom and
• On each level of the home
New California Building Code Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2011, the California Building Code has similar requirements for all new homes and for existing homes undergoing alterations and repairs requiring building permits. Further information about specific requirements is available as follows:
• For new homes or homes undergoing remodel, contact your local building department.
• For homes being sold or purchased, contact your real estate agent.
• For questions regarding an existing home or mobile/manufactured home, contact Shawn Huff of the State of California Housing and Community Development Department at (916) 327-2816.
• For a list of CO alarms currently approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/licensinglistings/licenselisting_bml_searchcotest.php. Select 5276 (Carbon Monoxide Alarms) from the “Category” dropdown list and hit the “Search” button.
Double Protection: Carbon Monoxide Alarms AND Smoke Alarms
In addition to carbon monoxide alarms, every home needs smoke alarm protection. The Orange County Fire Authority has introduced a new smoke alarm program that highlights the following life-saving strategies:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, in every sleeping area, and in the hallway leading to every sleeping area. Replace smoke alarms every ten years or sooner if they don’t respond properly when tested.
• Inspect smoke alarms by testing them once a month and replacing the batteries every six months or according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Protect your family by developing a home escape plan. Draw a floor plan of your home showing two ways out of every room and an outside meeting place. Practice your plan by having home fire drills at least twice a year.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or using combination alarms that utilize both smoke detection technologies.
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Are You Ready To Ride It Out If An
Earthquake Hit Today?
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What Causes Earthquakes?
The earth’s crust is broken into "plates." Earthquakes occur when these moving plates grind and scrape against each other. In California, the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate meet along the San Andreas Fault, which is more than 650 miles long and extends 10 miles deep. Additionally, there are several faults that branch from the San Andreas Fault including the Hayward and San Jacinto faults. Unlike other natural disasters, there are no warnings for earthquakes. One could hit today, tomorrow, or next week. Future earthquakes are a serious threat to Californians who could potentially face loss of life, injury, and property damage. Take the time NOW to prepare before the next quake strikes.
 The Diagram shows the movement along the San Andreas Fault.
Major California Earthquakes
Are You Prepared To Ride It Out?
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We have heard it so many times –the "big one" is coming. In our lifetime, we still haven’t seen or felt that huge earthquake. That shouldn’t stop us from preparing.
Before an Earthquake:
Prepare an emergency supply kit.
Know the safe spots in each room.
Conduct practice drills.
Choose an out-of-state friend/relative to call after the quake.
During an Earthquake:
If indoors, stay there. Drop, cover, and hold on.
If outdoors, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls, and power lines.
If driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, underpasses, and power lines. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops.
After an Earthquake:
Unless there is an immediate, life-threatening emergency, do not attempt to use the telephone.
Check for gas and water leaks, broken electrical wiring or sewage lines. If there is damage, turn the utility off at the source and report to your utility company. Only shut off the gas IF you smell leaking gas.
Check your building/home for cracks and damage - including the roof, chimneys, and foundation.
Turn on your portable radio for emergency instructions.
Do not use your vehicle unless there is an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.
Be prepared for aftershocks.
Drop, Cover & Hold On!
No matter where you are, know how to protect yourself and your family during an earthquake!
Can You Go It Alone For Three Days?
During the first 72 hours after an earthquake electricity, gas, water, and telephones may not be working. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least three days following a quake and more likely up to a week. The following is a list of supplies you should have on hand in an emergency kit:
Food, water, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flashlights with extra batteries, portable battery operated radio, extra blankets, clothing, sturdy shoes, cash, alternate cooking sources, medicines, eye glasses, food for pets, and tools.
For More Information
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