Stay Safe

• Is there a fence that separates the pool from the house or common area?
• If no fence, do doors or windows leading to the swimming area have locks installed and are they out of children’s reach?
• Is the fence at least 4 feet high with vertical bars that children can’t climb?
• Are vertical bars no more than 4 inches apart?
• Does the fence have a self-closing, self-latching gate?
• If gate is not locked with a key, is the latch out of the reach of young children?
• Are there objects near the fence that will enable a child to climb the fence?
• Are there any trees, bushes or other objects that might block a clear view of the pool from the house?
• If the pool has a diving board, is the depth at least 8 feet at the deepest end?
• Is the pool depth marked on the pool deck or walls?
• Are there ladders or steps at each end of the pool?
• Is the water level 3 or 4 inches from the top to make climbing easier?
• Is there rescue equipment near the pool (i.e. styrofoam ring on a long rope or a long handled hook)?
• Are adult family members/babysitters trained in CPR?
• Are pool chemicals/supplies stored properly and out of reach of children?
• Is a master pump shutoff switch in easy access to pool area?
• Is a telephone outside in easy access to pool area?
• Are toys kept in pool area when not in use by children?
• Are water motion devices in use?

Take Shelter – Build a Safe Room Inside Your House

Houses are built in accordance with local building codes that consider the effects of severe weather. A tornado or hurricane can cause winds much greater than those on which local code requirements are based. Having a house built to code does not mean that it can withstand extreme winds.

The purpose of a storm shelter is to provide a space where you and your family can survive a tornado with little or no injury.

Your shelter should be readily accessible from all parts of your house and should be free of clutter. To protect the occupants during extreme windstorms, the shelter must be adequately anchored to the house foundation to resist overturning and uplift. The connections between all parts of the shelter must be strong enough to resist failure, and the walls, roof and door must resist penetration by wind borne debris.

The Wind Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University has been involved in shelter design for many years. If you or your builder/contractor have questions about designing your shelter, call 1-806-742-3479 extension 336 for technical guidance or write to FEMA, 500 C. Street SW, Washington, DC 20472 and request a copy of Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House. This book includes construction plans and cost estimates.

Working smoke alarms save lives, and cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. That’s why the Arlington Fire Department collaborates with the American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

• Install smoke alarms away from the kitchen (10 feet from cooking appliances) to prevent nuisance alarms.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• Change smoke alarm batteries at least once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms when they are ten years old.

Do you need a smoke alarm? If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install a smoke alarm within the City of Arlington, the Red Cross may be able to help. Teams from the American Red Cross will come to your home and install 10-year alarms for free. Visit the site below and request your free smoke alarm from the American Red Cross today!

Visit the Red Cross website, or call the Arlington Fire Department at 817-459-5500 for more information.

Note - Our alarms are 10-year alarms that do not require battery changes. We cannot remove or replace hardwired alarms but can place the new one next to any old or expired ones.