With a New Year comes new goals and New Year’s resolutions to help live a healthier, happier life.  Include these to your list and to help keep your family safe and ready for emergencies throughout the the year.

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside bedrooms, and test alarms monthly.  The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked (source:  https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Detection-and-Signaling/Smoke-Alarms-in-US-Home-Fires).  Click here for more information.

If you don’t have carbon monoxide alarms in your home, now is the time to install one (or more).  Test monthly and replace batteries every six months, if applicable.   Check to see if your units are ready for replacement.  Click here for more information about carbon monixide alarms and placement in your home.

Sign-up for Loudoun County’s Emergency Alert System so you can stay informed of emergency information.

Create a fire escape plan for your family and agree on a place outside where everyone can meet.

As you are packing up the holiday decorations, inspect for any frayed or broken power cords and throw them away.  Don’t overload electrical outlets with too many plugs.

Sign up to take a CPR, First Aid, or AED class and be prepared to respond to a multitude of emergencies.  Click here to find a list of safety courses available.

Join the Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (AVFRD) and give back to your community!  The AVFRD is always looking for more volunteers to serve as firefighters, EMTs, or in Support Services.  Interest meetings are held once a month.  For more information on how to join and the benefits of volunteering, please click here.