Although an arrest has been made relative to the rash of arson fires in and around Los Angeles, the threat of arson is an ongoing issue. MySafe:LA and the Los Angeles Fire Department ask that you remain alert to any unusual activity in or around your home or neighborhood. There are a number of steps you and your family can take to make your home or business more resistant to arson. While there is no 100% effective way to prevent an arsonist from striking, taking these steps will keep you and your family safer - it's all part of being FireSmart:LA!

Install Smoke/CO Alarms

First of all, make certain your family is safe inside your home. That means having working Fire/CO Alarms in your home or apartment.

If you don't have up-to-date Fire/CO Alarms, buy them. They're extremely inexpensive and can be found at any local home improvement store. Installing them is a snap as well. Once in place, should your home be compromised by fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide, you'll hear the alarm and have an opportunity to escape.

[ Learn More ]

Create a Family Escape Plan

In order to escape from any emergency, you need a plan. Creating a family escape plan is easy and can be a fun project for the entire family.

A family escape plan will only work if you practice. Once you've determined how and where to escape to, then practice it with your family. And make certain to practice it at night as well as in the daylight. Many emergencies occur in the middle of the night, so make certain your family is prepared!

[ Learn More ]

Tips to Protect Your Vehicles

If you park your family car or vehicles outside, then you can take some action to reduce the risk of an arsonist destroying your property. Keep your exterior lights on, or better yet, install a motion-sensor floodlight near your vehicles. Keep your cars locked. If anyone approaches your cars, the light will automatically come on.

If you see something, say something. If a car is driving around your block over and over again, get the license number. If you see anything that appears out of the ordinary, don't be afraid to speak up. Often, the most simplistic action can lead to a bad guy being arrested.

Make the Call - Dial 911

Make the call. Your Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, and all of the other supporting and/or participating agencies are on the job. In today's complex society, you can be part of the team, too. That doesn't mean running around the city, but it does mean that when you see something near your home or business, you can support your first responders with a phone call.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
213-893-9800 - LAFD Arson TIP Line
213-972-2971 - LAPD TIP Line

Use Social Media to Catch an Arsonist

If you use Twitter and you see an arsonist at work - DIAL 911 - and after you make your report, TWEET the description of what you saw. This is a simple, but potentially effective method of getting the word out to your friends and family - the current series of arson fires involves an individual or individuals who are on the move. Tweeting may help get ahead of their transportation methods and help secure an arrest.

Follow @ArsonWatchLA



For the latest news and information, please visit the LAFD News Blog [ Click Here ]

You may also "like" facebook.com/ArsonWatchLA

You may also email this document using the email forwarding tool at the top of the article.

Be safe and protect your family. 2012 will be a terrific year, but it's up to you to make it happen.

Next >