Car break-ins and grill fires are among the risks that rise with summertime temperatures. So the Holly Springs police and fire departments are spreading the word on how to help ensure your safety this summer.
Holly Springs perennially ranks among the safest towns in N.C. Even so, there are things you can do to further minimize the possibility of a season-spoiling accident or crime.
Locked and Lighted
It’s 9 p.m. Do you know where your car keys are? If they’re still in your vehicle parked in the driveway, they really should be indoors. Your car keys have no business staying out all night.
For the Holly Springs police and fire departments, keeping the community safe is an around-the-clock priority. However, most of us don’t have the available bandwidth to focus on crime prevention and household safety 24/7. Other things occupy our minds.
Instead, Holly Springs police recommend creating a nightly routine around 9 o’clock to lessen the chances for becoming a victim of crime.
Bring valuables from your car and the yard indoors.
Lock your car and home.
Turn on your exterior lights.
Police say car break-ins and larcenies tend to increase during the summer. Windows and garage doors are more likely to be open with family members going in and out of doors more frequently and kids leaving bicycles in the yard.
“More than 95 percent of our vehicle B&E’s are from ones that are left unlocked,” said Police Chief Paul Liquorie, adding that thieves go through parking lots or neighborhood streets checking for doors they can open quickly. “They try the door handles, and if nothing happens, they keep walking.”
Targets for thieves include cell phones and other electronics left in the car as well as high-end sunglasses, loose change, and even spare keys for that vehicle or another one in the driveway.
When you get home, remove valuables from the car. While you’re out shopping, make sure nothing of value is left in plain view inside the car.
“Leave it out of sight,” Liquorie said. “That’s most important.”
Across the country, 45 percent of car thefts occur at home. Seventy percent of late model cars that are stolen had the key left inside.
Chilling While Grilling
July is the peak month for grill fires. Holly Springs firefighters remind you that propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors and well away from the deck railings, eaves, and overhanging branches. Never leave a lighted grill unattended.
Before the start of each grilling season, check the propane gas tank hose for leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to check for bubbles. Ensure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it. If you smell gas while cooking, get away from the grill immediately and call the Fire Department. Do not try to move the grill.
For charcoal grills, do not use any liquids except those made for lighting charcoal. Once the grill is lit, do not add any starter fluid. After grilling out, give the coals plenty of cooling time before disposing of them in a metal container.
Street Worthy and Safe
As for personal safety, Holly Springs police urge grownups and kids to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
Golf cart safety is another focus of the Holly Springs Police Department that increases when the weather warms up. Licensed drivers 18 and older can operate a properly registered golf cart on streets where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. They can directly cross a street having a speed limit of no more than 35.
For cart owners’ convenience, Holly Springs police will make arrangements with cart owners for the safety inspection that is required for registration. Safety equipment examples include two headlights and two taillights, plus turn signals and brake lights visible from 250 feet; windshields and rear vision mirrors; seat belts for all riders; a parking brake; and reflectors.
Firefighters recommend charging golf carts outside or at least in a well-ventilated garage. Hydrogen gas emitted from the batteries can reach explosive levels in an enclosed space, especially with an older-model charger that doesn’t automatically shut off.
Staying hydrated during hot weather is one of the most important things you can do for a safe summer. Water almost always is sufficient for hydration as long as you eat regular meals to replace salt lost in sweat. Some energy drinks have much more caffeine than usual servings of tea, coffee, or soft drink.
Too much water can be a hazard also, as when trying to drive through a flooded street after a summer storm. The advice is straightforward: Turn around. Don’t drown. And if you’re on the water in a boat, please wear a life vest.
Learning More
For more information on fire safety, please call the Fire Department’s SAFE line at (919) 577-SAFE (7233).
For moe on crime prevention, visit www.hollyspringsnc.gov or call the Police Department non-emergency number at (919) 557-9111.
