Announcements; Fire Season is here

[Karen Story]

Arbor Day at Cotton Hill Park was a huge success!

More than 60 people helped plant and mulch 340 native trees and other
plants, and Mayor Lauinger planted a beautiful Spruce tree near the
trail intersection - be sure to stop and admire it. Thank you to
everyone who brought snacks, helped with parking, and participated.
And to whoever ordered up the nice weather! A photo link will be
available soon.

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City Council Meeting with our neighborhood:
As soon as it is available, I'll be sending a link to the information
that was provided at the meeting.

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Coyotes are still being seen around the neighborhood - remember to
keep your pets safe, and don't leave pet food outdoors.

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Thank you to everyone who helped with and contributed to food drives
during the recent "Month of Concern for the Hungry." Kirkland citizens
helped collect over 77,000 pounds of food and nearly $10,000 for
eastside food banks!

The cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Newcastle,
Redmond, and Sammamish participated.

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KIRKLAND ENTERS HOUSEHOLD FIRE SEASON
COOKING AND HOT ASHES START MOST FIRES

Kirkland Fire Department data covering the last 5 years, identify
cooking as the primary cause of fires the Department responds to, and
hot ashes as the next most frequent cause. [In Kirkland, smoking-
related fires are statistically tied with intentionally-set fires, for
a distant third place.]

Most of Kirkland’s cooking and hot ash fires occur in November and
December. This means we have entered our most active fire period.

Take these steps to safeguard your home and family:

In the kitchen:
1. Stay in the kitchen while using the stove.
2. Use minimal amounts of grease, oil and butter when cooking.
3. Leave room in pans for liquids to boil without going over the
sides.
4. Keep pot lids at the ready to smother any pan fires.
5. Keep paper and cloth away from the stove.

For fireplaces and wood burning stoves:
1. Have fireplace chimneys and woodstove pipes inspected annually
2. Use sturdy log holders and build solid log structures in
fireplaces
3. Avoid overbuilding fires and letting flames reach beyond screens
4. Always keep screens and stove doors shut in front of burning
fires
5. Keep fireproof rugs in front of fireplaces and wood stoves
6. Spread ashes out after fires and let them completely cool
overnight
7. Always dispose of ashes in metal containers.
8. Keep metal ash containers outside and away from the house/
building

In general, keep a fire extinguisher:
· On each level of your home.
· In every room with a stove, fireplace or other ignition
source.
· Across the room, rather than by, the cooking/heating
equipment.

Always, have a smoke detector:
· Installed in a common area (like a hall) on every level of
the home
· Installed in every bedroom
· In working order. Test it monthly to make sure it works
properly.

Enjoy safe holidays!

Contact: Robin Paster, PIO, 425-587-3659, rpa...@ci.kirkland.wa.us.