Mariposa County Fire Department supports the county with 14 volunteer stations located throughout the county. If you are 18 years of age and possess a valid CA driver’s license, we would love to hear from you!  Positions are available for fire, medical, and various support duties.  No experience necessary – we will train you! – Please call (209) 966-4330 today for more information!

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May is National Electrical Safety Month

The most recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that on average, there are over 400 electrocutions in the United States each year. Of these, approximately 180 are related to consumer products. Large appliances were responsible for the largest proportion of the electrocutions —10 percent.

Electrocutions do not tell the entire story. Electricity is the cause of over 140,000 fires each year,

resulting in 400 deaths, 4,000 injuries and $1.6 billion in property damage.

Here are a few safety tips to share to keep you and your family safe:

1. May is National Electrical Safety Month. It’s a good time to look around your home and eliminate overloaded electrical outlets, worn or damaged electrical cords, and appliances that spark.

2.  Children don't always know -- or remember -- what can be dangerous, so it's up to adults to watch out for their safety.

3. Electricity and toddlers don’t mix. Help protect your child by placing protective covers on all unused outlets within the child’s reach.

4. The No. 1 electrical safety rule for anyone to remember is this: Don't touch a power line or anything that's touching the power line such as a tree limb, kite string, or model airplane. No one can tell by looking at a line whether it is energized or not, and contact with a power line can be deadly.

5. Keep liquids, such as soft drinks away from electrical items including TVs, VCRs, and computers. They could spill and cause dangerous shocks and fires.

6. When there is lightening, stay away from trees and get inside.

7. Summer activities include tossing footballs and playing badminton. Teach your children the importance of getting help from adults if they need to retrieve balls or anything from a power line.

8. Help children learn to stay away from transformers and other ground-mounted electrical equipment.

9. Remember - keep power tools and electric lawn tools away from swimming pools and sprinklers. Water and electricity don’t mix!

10. Power tools should never be used when children are in, or are around the area.

11. Keep children well away from lawnmowers, weed-eaters, and other products that may throw objects, such as rocks and sticks.

12. Little boys love tree houses. Remember - don't build tree houses in trees near electric lines. Never allow your children to climb trees growing near power lines.