A Commitment to a Safer Community
Safety and Preparedness Resources for the Public
Upcoming Community Education Classes
Free one-hour classes to empower everyday heroes like you!
Safe Start: Infant & Newborn Safety Essentials
Feb 13th at 1800 -1900 Feb 14th at 0900 – 1000
Bringing a newborn home is an exciting but overwhelming experience, and safety is a top priority. This one-hour class will cover essential topics such as safe sleep practices, car seat safety, choking hazards, CPR basics, and home-proofing for infants. Participants will gain hands-on knowledge and practical tips to prevent common accidents and respond effectively in emergencies. Whether you’re a new parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this session will give you the confidence to create a safer environment for the little ones in your life.
Download the Infant Safety Flyer (image)
Car Seat Confidence: Protecting Your Little Passenger
March 6th at 1800 -1900 March 7th at 0900 – 1000
Proper car seat use is one of the most important ways to protect children in a vehicle, yet many seats are installed incorrectly. This class will break down the latest safety guidelines, age and size-appropriate seat choices, and best practices for installation. Participants will learn how to avoid common mistakes and ensure their child’s car seat provides the best possible protection. Whether you're installing a seat for the first time or checking for updates on safety recommendations, this class will give you the tools to travel with confidence.
Download the Car Seat Flyer (image)
Wildfire Ready: Awareness & Prevention for Your Community
April 10th at 1700 to 1900 April 11th at 0900 to 1100
Wildfires are a natural part of our environment, but preparation can make all the difference in protecting lives and property. This class will cover wildfire behavior, local risks, and steps you can take to create defensible space around your home. Participants will also learn about evacuation planning, emergency alerts, and how to stay informed during fire season. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or outdoor enthusiast, this session will provide essential knowledge to help you stay safe and prepared.
Every second counts in a home fire.
The Difference is Night and Day!
Click Here for Grand County Wildfire Council (GCWC) Reflective Signs
Wildfire Preparedness
What are the primary threats to homes during a wildfire?
Research around home destruction vs. home survival in wildfires point to embers and small flames as the main way that the majority of homes ignite in wildfires. Embers are burning pieces of airborne wood and/or vegetation that can be carried more than a mile through the wind can cause spot fires and ignite homes, debris and other objects.
There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).
Firewise® Home Ignition Zone Helpful Tips
Keep 100 ft of garden hose attached.
Keep fire tools available: shovel, rake, ladder
Avoid outdoor burning.
Recycle, mulch, & compost whenever possible.
Remove debris buildup on and under decks.
Within 5 ft. of house, plant drought tolerant native plants.
Keep your roof clear of leaves, needles, & debris.
Keep your woodpile 30 ft from structures & fuel tanks.
Keep your grass green & mowed 100 feet from any structures.
For the next 70 feet, thin and prune your coniferous trees.
Keep driveways accessible for fire trucks and provide a turn-around area.
Keep burnable materials from under and around structures.
Grand County Evacuation Map
Smoke & CO Alarms General Information
Smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors have been proven to save lives! Are your batteries good? You know to change your batteries when you change your clocks (Daylight Savings), but did you realize that detectors expire? Be sure to check the date and replace smoke alarms within 10 years and CO alarms within 7 years of manufacture. Grand Lake Fire has smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors available for FREE at the station. We’ve done this to help get a smoke and CO alarm in every home in Grand Lake Fire’s district. Call us or stop by the station for more information.
Smoke and CO Alarm Checklist courtesy of Estes Valley Fire (PDF)
Smoke Alarms
America's fire death rate is one of the highest per capita in the industrialized world. Fire kills approximately 3,000 and injures approximately 20,000 people each year. The majority of deaths are in homes without a working smoke alarm. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is a colorless and odorless compound produced by incomplete combustion. It is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it is virtually undetectable without using detection technology. Elevated levels of CO can be dangerous to humans depending on the amount present and length of exposure. CO detectors are designed to measure CO levels overtime and sound an alarm before dangerous levels of CO accumulate in an environment, giving people adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate.
More Helpful Home Tips
Home Heating Fire Prevention Tips
Heating equipment caused an estimated 56,000 home fires and caused 470 deaths between 2009 and 2013.* Learn how to stay safe.
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heat sources.
NEVER leave a space heater unattended.
Turn off when leaving a room or sleeping.
NEVER plug a space heater into an extension cord.
NEVER use a cooking stove to heat your home or dry clothes.
Place heaters on level, flat surfaces ON THE GROUND.
Have a qualified service professional inspect your heating system annually. Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms.
Never use a space heater or any appliance with a damaged cord.
*According to the National Fire Protection Association
Keep Fire Hydrants Clear
If there’s a fire hydrant near your house, do your part to keep it accessible this winter.
Remove any snow and ice.
Clear a wide enough perimeter around the hydrant for firefighters to work (about 3 feet)
Clear a path from hydrant to street