Public Education

An SJFD firefighter and a child looking at a fire engine.

The San José Fire Department is dedicated to promoting safety, preparedness, and resilience within our community. This page serves as a central hub for important public education topics. We invite San José residents to explore the resources below to stay informed and take proactive steps to protect themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods.

After a Fire

After a Fire: The San José Fire Department has put together resources to help you recover from a fire.
Inspecting Your Property: Learn how to safely inspect your home after a fire and identify potential hazards before re-entering.
Cleaning Your Property: Learn how to safely clean up after a fire, whether you're insured or not, and understand the health risks of soot and fire-damaged items.
Temporary Housing: Find out what to do if your home is unlivable after a fire, including options for temporary shelter and from the American Red Cross.
Recovering Emotionally: Emotional recovery after a fire is vital—learn how to cope with trauma, support vulnerable individuals, and seek help when needed.
Helping Pets: Get guidance on caring for pets after a fire—including safety tips, emotional support, and resources for injured, lost, rescued, or deceased animals.
Recovering Financially: Get practical steps for financial recovery after a fire, from navigating insurance claims to replacing vital documents and salvaging damaged cash.

Disaster Preparedness

Earthquake Safety: Protect yourself, your family, and your property before, during, and after an earthquake.
Exit Drills in the Home: Know how to plan and conduct exit drills in your home.
Pet Disaster Preparedness: Your pets should be included in your disaster preparedness plan. This includes making a plan and creating pet disaster preparedness kit.
Power Outages: Know what to do before, during and after a power outage.

Fire Prevention & Safety

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Learn what carbon monoxide is, how it can harm you, and how to prevent CO poisoning with detectors, maintenance tips, and emergency guidance.
Electrical Safety in the Home: Brush up on electrical safety practices to reduce your exposure to electrical hazards.
Fire Extinguishers: Consider installing one or more fire extinguishers in your home and becoming familiar with how to properly operate and maintain them.
Fire Safety in the Kitchen: Get tips on how to cook safely in the kitchen and how to respond to a cooking fire.
Heating Safety: Heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Stay safe and warm with these tips.
High-Rise Safety: Learn essential fire safety tips for high-rise buildings, including evacuation planning, fire alarm response, and how to stay safe during emergencies.
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Despite their advantages, lithium-ion batteries have the potential to overheat, catch fire, or explode.
Smoke Alarms: Install and maintain smoke detectors in your home.
Stop, Drop & Roll: If your clothes catch on fire, it's important to act quickly and "stop, drop and roll."

Health & Wellness

Child Car Seat Safety: Find an inspection station near you.
Fall Prevention: Older adults who want to maintain their independence and health should take steps to understand and reduce their risk of falling.
L.I.F.E (Lifesaving Information for Emergencies) File: Get information on the City's L.I.F.E. File program.
Poison Prevention: Learn about the risks associated with common household hazardous waste and take preventative actions to stop a poisoning from happening in your home.
Safe Surrender Baby Law: Get information and details on this law.
Suicide Prevention & Crisis: Resources for residents who are experiencing emotional or mental distress.
Swimming Pool & Spa Safety: Enjoy the water responsibly with these swimming pool and spa safety recommendations.

Opioid Safety & Awareness

Opioid Safety & Awareness Homepage: This webpage serves as a central hub for opioid safety resources.
Narcan: You can reverse an opioid overdose if you carry NARCAN and act quickly.
Opioid Facts: Learn about what opioids are, common types of opioids, and the risks of using them.
Opioid FAQs: Get answers to your opioid-related questions.
Opioids Overdose: Learning the signs of an opioid overdose could help you save a life.
Opioid Resources: If you or someone you know suffers from the effects of opioid usage, help is available.
Talking About Opioids: Keeping your family, friends, and colleagues safe from these dangers starts with having a conversation.

Road & Pedestrian Safety

Seasonal & Holiday Safety

Campfire Safety: Enjoy campfires responsibly with these tips!
Christmas Tree Safety: Follow these tips as you decorate your real or artificial Christmas tree.
Fireworks Are Illegal: All types of fireworks are banned in San José and most of Santa Clara County. These include large bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers and sparklers.
Halloween Safety: Halloween safety tips for pedestrians and motorists.
Hot Weather Safety: Stay safe in the sun—always take precautions during periods of high heat.
Sunscreen Safety: Learn how to protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer with these essential sunscreen tips.
Winter Holiday Safety: Stay safe during the holiday season with these tips!

Wildfire Preparedness

Prepare for Wildfire: Take proactive steps to help protect your home or property from wildfire.
Defensible Space: Create a buffer between your home and surrounding vegetation.
Hardening Your Home: Use building materials and installation techniques to harden your home.
Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Plant fire-resistant vegetation around your home to help resist wildfire.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones: Determine if your property resides in a designated fire hazard severity zone.
Wildfire Action Plan: Identify escape routes in your home and designate an out-of-area contact.
Emergency Supply Kit: Make a to-go bag for each person in your household.
Insurance Preparedness: Review and update your home's insurance policy before a wildfire occurs.
Pre-Evacuation: Develop a pre-evacuation checklist so you're prepared in case of evacuation.
Wildfire Evacuation: Make sure you monitor wildfires in your area and know your community’s emergency response plan, evacuation orders, and evacuation centers.

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