Things to Know: Year-End Planning

This week’s column covers a number of upcoming activities that require advance planning.

Monday, Dec. 26 – Friday, Dec. 30. City offices will be closed for furlough days. Emergency police and fire response services will not be affected. The Recreation Center will remain open. The CATV Department will be open on Dec. 28 and Dec. 29.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Spelling Bee for fifth and sixth grade students is fast approaching.  A written test will be given on Jan. 10 followed by the oral spelling bee on Jan. 19.  To prepare for the bee go to the free, official study resource for the Scripps National Spelling Bee at www.spellingbee.com.

Monday, Jan. 9.  This is the registration deadline for the annual teen snowboarding and ski trip on Saturday Jan. 28 from 4:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. to Homewood Resort, West Shore Lake Tahoe. Teens ages 13-18 are welcome.  Sit back and relax via coach bus, and you will get to the snow to enjoy an awesome packed day! You will make a stop for dinner on the way home at a restaurant in Dixon. Please bring money for lunch & dinner. The transportation, breakfast, and lift ticket are included in the registration fee. Call Jennie at (650) 616-7184 for more information. $85 YAC Members, $105 Non-YAC Members.

The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District (344-8592) reminds residents that mosquitoes are a year round concern and to follow the five “Ds” of prevention: 

• #1 Dusk – Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus usually bite at dusk and dawn. 
• #2 Dawn – Avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn if possible. If you must be outside, be sure to protect yourself from bites.
• #3 Dress – Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin. 
• #4 DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the chemical DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites. 
• #5 Drain –Empty any containers holding standing water because they can be excellent breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.

The San Bruno Fire Department believes in empowering their citizens with knowledge to prevent accidents and personal injury.  They have collected various information to help residents deal with and mitigate emergencies when they do happens and hope that residents find the following information helpful. 

The North County Fire Authority shares the following SAFETY TIPS to have a safe holiday season: 

• (1) Install a smoke and carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home. Test detector batteries every month and change them at least once a year. 
• (2) Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including fireplace or heat vent.  The heat will dry out the tree and cause it to more easily ignite by heat, flame or sparks. 
• (3) Never put holiday tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. 
• (4) When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is to take it outside to have it collected by the community pick-up service.
• (5) Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wire, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive kinking or wear.
• (6) Use only lighting evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). 
• (7) Do not overload outlets. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. 
• (8) Do not leave holiday lights unattended. 
• (9) Avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked over easily.
• (10) Never leave the house with candles burning.