From Sunday November 22, 2020 through Saturday November 28, 2020, the Yuma Fire Department responded to 340 emergency calls for service:

                15    General Fire Responses
Including: Apartment fire, oven fire in an apartment, BBQ grill propane tank fire, leaking gas line, and various alarms
               
                  2    Mutual Aid
Including: Called to assist Rural Metro with a medical emergency in the County, called to assist Imperial County with an ATV rollover in the sand dunes

                  14     Motor Vehicle Crashes 
Including: 1 involving a wall, 1 involving a metal gate, 1 involving a vehicle in a canal, and 2 head-on crashes 

                 290     Other Medical Emergencies (serious to minor)
Including: 59 for difficulty breathing, 16 for chest pain, 33 for falls, 16 for unconscious people (1 where bystanders were providing CPR), 10 seizure cases, 4 possible stroke cases, 6 for intoxicated persons, 3 for a person under the influence of drugs, 4 for drug overdoses (1 where bystanders were providing CPR), 18 for people with psychiatric problems, 1 for dehydration, 1 for a medical alarm, 5 for allergic reactions, 1 for choking, 8 for altered or decreased level of consciousness, 4 for fever, 2 for broken bones, 1 for a diabetic emergency, 
1 for a human bite, 5 for man down calls, 4 for uncontrolled bleeding, 7 for bad headaches, 2 for assaults, 8 for back pain, 9 for abdominal pain, 4 pregnancy related, 2 for drug withdrawals, 1 for a person who had a cleaning chemical spilled in their eye, 1 for a 5 year old who ate marijuana “edibles”, and other illnesses and injuries

                   19     Special Duty, Public Assistance, and Residential Assignments
Including: 1 for a gas leak, 1 for a dumpster fire, 2 for trash can fires, 1 to assist YPD with a body recovery, and various alarms

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is traditionally a time of great expectation for family, friends, and neighbors to enjoy the season and maybe relax before the start of a new year. It is also a time for increased calls for service in the fire service. Remember to “Candle with Care” and keep fire safety in mind when doing your holiday decorating. Here is some information from the National Fire Protection Association.

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 780  home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2013-2017. These fires caused an annual average of three civilian fire deaths, 34 civilian fire injuries and $12 million in direct property damage.

In more than two of every five (44%) fires the decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or equipment.

One-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Sixteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.
On average, 22 home candle fires were reported each day between 2013-2017.

Three of every five (60%) candle fires started when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations, was too close to the candle. The two peak days for candle fires were Christmas and Christmas Eve.

Decorations must be at least 3 feet away from any heat source. Never leave candles burning unattended. Open flame candles and decorations do not mix. Consider electronic candle alternatives. Safety is no Accident.  For more information about fire and injury prevention classes we offer, contact the Yuma Fire Department Public Information Office at 373-4855, you can also “Follow” us at www.twitter.com/YumaFireDept