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As we move into the holidays, the Safety Committee is committed to helping make our community a safe environment in which to live. ENJOY A SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON PART 2: From late November to mid- January, when families gather, parties are scheduled and travel spikes, safety should be top of mind. In Part 2 of this series, the National Safety Council has provided the following advice to ensure your family remains safe and injury-free throughout the season. Decorate Safely: Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency departments see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season. When decorating, follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: • Keep potentially poisonous plants — mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis — away from children and pets. • If using an articial tree, check that it is labeled "re resistant." • If you use a live tree, cut o about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it, and remove it from your home when it is dry. • Place your tree at least three feet away from replaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways. • Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children or pets can reach them. • Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights. • Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. • Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket. • Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights, and keep plugs o the ground away from puddles and snow. • Turn o all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Watch Out for Fire-Starters — Candles and Fireplaces: Use of candles and replaces, combined with an increase in the amount of combustible, seasonal decorations in many homes during the holidays, means more risk for re. e National Fire Protection Association reports on average candles cause 46 percent of res annually in December. • Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over, and out of reach of children and pets. • Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children in a locked cabinet. • Use ameless rather than lighted candles near ammable objects. • Don't burn trees, wreaths or wrapping paper in the replace. • Always use a screen on the replace when a re is burning. • Never leave candles or replaces burning unattended or when you are asleep. • Check and clean the chimney and replace area at least once a year. It's Better to Give Safely: Gis and toys should inspire joy, not cause injuries. ousands of children are seriously injured in toy-related incidents every year. Avoid safety hazards while giing with these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: • Toys are age-rated for safety, not for children's intellect and physical ability, so be sure to choose toys in the correct age range. • Choose toys for children under three that do not have small parts which could be choking hazards. • For children under 10, avoid toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. • Be cautious about toys that have button batteries or magnets, which can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. • When giving scooters and other riding toys, give the gi of appropriate safety gear, too; helmets should be worn at all times, and they should be sized to t To nd out about holiday toy safety and recalls, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website. As an added safety reminder… Unsafe driving is a common concern and theme brought up by residents. Here are a few reminders to help keep our community safe. • 25 miles per hour is the maximum speed limit on roadways within our residential districts. • 30 miles per hour is the maximum speed limit on Four Seasons Circle. • 15 miles per hour is the maximum speed limit in alleyways. Remember, parking in alleyways is prohibited. We need to maintain access for emergency response vehicles. • Stop at all designated STOP signs. • Roundabout etiquette: Yield to vehicles already in the circle; when entering a roundabout, only drive in a counterclockwise direction; use your right turn signal when exiting the roundabout. • No distracted driving. Put away your cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. • Yield to pedestrians. It is important to follow prudent driving practices. Although our streets are not marked with center lines, please avoid driving down the center of our roadways, staying on the right side of the street. Remember, if you see something, say something. Monthly CPR classes are currently not scheduled. To arrange a CPR course for your club or committee, contact A J Reilly at (951) 522-9975 or reilly58@me.com. Remember, "If you see something, say something." e Safety Committee meets on the rst Tuesday of each month at 10 am in the RCN Conference Room. Your attendance is encouraged if you have questions or want updates about safety projects. ~ Frank Hilberg, hilberg frank@gmail.com FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | DECEMBER 2025 31 Safety Committee SAFETY 4 "ALL" SEASONS

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