Decorating safety tips
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) encourages customers to use caution and put safety first when decorating this holiday season to reduce the risk of a fire in the home. Lighting equipment, candles, menorahs and the Christmas trees can become holiday hazards and spark a devastating fire. By having a plan and making minor adjustments to decorating and cooking, the holiday season can remain festive and safe for everyone.
“We know home fires increase during the holidays, so we encourage our customers to slow down, take the right precautions and stay safe this holiday season,” said Laurie Giammona, PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “After an unprecedented year the holidays will be extra special as long as you make safety part of your smaller family celebrations.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), candle fires increase this month. Almost 60 percent of home fires involving holiday decorations were started by candles in the month of December compared to 30 percent in January and November. The two peak days for candle fires are Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Also, Hanukkah is a time to pay extra special attention to candles also.
Here are some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during the holidays:
— Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
— Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
— Never leave a lit menorah or candles unattended.
— Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. Start with a clean oven to reduce the risk of a grease fire.
The family Christmas tree also can become an unexpected hazard. According to the NFPA, on average, Christmas tree home fires resulted in death four times more often than home fires without a tree. Lighting equipment was involved in almost 40 percent of home tree fires.
— Before placing a fresh tree in the stand, cut two inches” from the base of the trunk to help it absorb water.
— Make sure the tree is at least3 feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
— Purchase flame-retardant metallic or artificial trees. For real trees, make sure it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken. Keep live trees as
moist as possible by giving them water daily.
PG&E also encourages residents to create a household emergency preparedness plan and share it with the entire family. For more ways to stay safe this holiday season, visit www.pge.com/safety.
MENDOCINO COUNTS Teaching credential help
The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) has expanded its offerings to assist community members interested in obtaining a teaching credential. Through its Adult Learning Center, MCOE has brokered agreements with adjacent counties and accredited univer
sities to increase access to teacher credentialing programs here in Mendocino County.
MCOE will serve as a hub to coordinate registration and scholarships for qualified applicants. Currently, the following credential programs are available: mild-to-moderate special education, moderate-to-severe special education, single-subject (typically used for sec
ondary school), and multisubject (typically used for elementary school). Eventually, the plan is to expand access to training for the whole educational continuum: daycare providers, preschool teachers, classroom aides, substitute teachers, K-12 teachers of all descriptions, and K-12 administrators, according to Assistant Superintendent Kim Kern.
Right now, a moder
ate-to-severe special education credential cohort is forming that begins instruction in January. The deadline to register for this cohort is December 16. Interested parties can learn more about this and all MCOE adult education programs by calling Tami Mee, MCOE Adult Programs Manager, at (707) 467-5133 or via email at tmee@mcoe.us.
Kern said, “Districts throughout the county are looking for motivated, compassionate, welltrained teachers, so we’re using our resources to facilitate the process.”
BENICIA Thompson honors winner
Rep. Mike Thompson
(CA- 05) announced that Evan Torres has been selected as the 2020 App Challenge winner for the Fifth Congressional District for his app Charity Checker, an app to determine the reputability of nonprofits.
“The Congressional
App Challenge is a great way to showcase our local technology talent and each year, I am excited to see the innovative designs from our students. Congratulations to Evan Torres for his winning app, Charity Checker,” said Thompson. “His helpful design will be on display throughout the upcoming year in our nation’s Capitol and on the House website, and we are proud he will represent our district!”