Tips to Keep You Safe - Santa Rita Fire District

November 2025 – Thanksgiving Safety

October 31, 2025

Thanksgiving is a natural favorite for a November safety article. Holiday safety issues, like many safety issues involve a Who, What, Where and Why analysis. Who will be coming to your house? What are the special needs of your guests? What preparations are necessary to accommodate these special needs? Why is this accommodation important?

October 2025 Fire Prevention

September 30, 2025

Fire Prevention Week 2025 runs from October 5–11, and this year’s theme from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.” The focus is on educating the public about the safe use, charging, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries, which power many of our everyday devices—from smartphones and laptops to e-bikes and power tools.

September 2025 Fall Prevention Month

September 1, 2025

While individuals of any age can experience a fall, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that adults aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable. Each year, millions of older adults fall, and approximately one in four will experience a fall. Alarmingly, a single fall doubles the likelihood of falling again. This increased risk highlights the importance of proactive fall prevention strategies, especially for older adults. By addressing environmental hazards, maintaining physical health, and staying informed, many falls can be avoided—helping to preserve independence and quality of life.

August 2025 – Drowning Impact Awareness Month

July 28, 2025

August is Drowning Impact Awareness Month (DIAM) — a time to raise awareness and take action to prevent drowning. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 years old in Arizona. In 2022, 30 children died from drowning in Arizona. Children under 5 years of age are at the greatest risk. In 2022, 83% of drowning deaths occurred in children less than five years old. The majority of drowning deaths in Arizona occur in pools, hot tubs, and spas.

July 2025 – Extreme Heat and Firework Safety

June 29, 2025

The July safety tips arrive in the setting of a hot Southern Arizona summer. Recognition and prevention of harmful effects of extreme heat to people and pets will be our focus. Additionally, no summer safety article would be complete without discussing fire prevention and fireworks safety. Extreme Heat is defined as a period of two days or longer, of temperatures above 90 degrees. Residents of Southern Arizona are exposed to extreme heat every summer. Let’s review how to prevent and respond to heat emergencies.

June 2025 – Hiking Arizona’s Trails

May 30, 2025

Arizona is a hiker's paradise with its diverse landscapes and numerous trails. Here are some interesting facts about Arizona's trails and essential hiking safety rules to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Before planning a hike visit, https://azstateparks.com for restrictions and updates.

May 2025 – What to Know About Our Desert Pests and Critters

April 30, 2025

Once again, we review our desert pests, and some of the concerns we have living in the southwest. While there are many animals that fit this definition of “pest”, we’ll talk about those which are native to the Arizona desert, and how to avoid injury if encountered. Where in our Arizona desert would we find these desert critters? What actions provoke injury to perceived foes? What toxins are released and how do they affect us? What should we do if bitten stung or otherwise injured?

April 2025 – What you need to know about Wildfires

March 30, 2025

“Wildfires”, defined as a large destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland and brush that are typically uncontrolled and unplanned. Wildfires have escalated greatly in the recent past and have destroyed millions of acres of land and caused millions of dollars in property damage. The southwest states of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico are at great risk states for wildfires because of ongoing drought conditions and the extreme temperatures they experience.

March 2025 – Don’t Burn the Garlic Bread!

March 1, 2025

This month we will be delving into Kitchen Safety and how to prevent cooking fires. Per the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires in the United States. In 2021, fire departments responded to an estimated 170,000 cooking fires, resulting in 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries and over $494 million in property loss.

February 2025 – If You Hear the Beep, When You’re Trying To Sleep …

January 30, 2025

February’s Safety Tip is about Smoke Alarms and Escape plans. If this sounds familiar, it’s because The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) had designated smoke alarms as their topic of the year. With that said, repetition is good, Smoke alarms save lives. Escape plans save lives.