Kingfield Neighborhood Association

Holiday Safety Tip #3

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Holiday travel, sigh… If you are going home for the holidays, here are some important safety reminders:

Traveling by car over the holidays? Don’t forget to pack an emergency supply kit for each passenger in your car. For kit tips, visit www.ready.gov/car

If you’re going to be on the road with your animal companions, make sure that your car or travel emergency kit includes items for your pet like water and food.  Something familiar such as a toy or comforting like a blanket can also help alleviate stress.  For a complete list of pet preparedness items, visit www.ready.gov/pets

Flying somewhere for the holidays?  Pay attention to the flight attendants during the safety briefing (even if you have heard it a hundred times) and read the safety briefing card.  Studies show taking a few moments to look up from your book or electronic device could save your life in an emergency.  If you’ve still got a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, don’t take it to the airport.  And take a moment to review the security screening process: www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-clips

A “must have” app for a safe, healthy, restful, worry free international vacation is TravWell, a very unique mobile app from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/). What with the many travel alerts, raging epidemics and endemic diseases, the only way to travel safe and smart is to use this app.

Holiday Safety Tip #2

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Entertaining and celebrating with family and friends is what the holiday season is all about. This year, take some time to learn about potential fire hazards related to cooking, candles, decorations, electrical cords, and heating devices.

Keep your holiday parties safe and your home glowing for the holidays with these U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) tips:

  • Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
  • If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where you cannot knock them down.
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns. Never leave a burning candle alone in an empty room.
  • Test your smoke alarms and tell your guests about your home fire escape plan.
  • Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking at high temperatures like frying, grilling or broiling.
  • Ask people who smoke to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them, so young children do not touch them.
  • Keep doorways and exit paths clear of furniture and decorations.

Find more holiday and fire safety information on the USFA Holiday Safety page: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/holiday.html

Holiday Safety Tip #1

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Did you decorate your Christmas tree over the weekend? Don’t forget to check the water level and unplug the lights every night before you go to bed. Watch what happens to a tree that is watered regularly and one that is not: http://youtu.be/RNjO3wZDVlA #HolidaySafety

Be fire smart as you deck the halls for a festive holiday season with these USFA tips:

  • Water Christmas trees every day. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch fire easily.
  • Make sure Christmas trees are at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. Also, make sure the tree does not block exits.
  • Inspect holiday lights each year before you put them up. Throw away strands with frayed or pinched wires. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
  • Turn off all holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

Kingfield Crime Prevention Resources

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Did you know there are many resources to help you improve your knowledge about crime prevention? Jennifer Waisanen is the Crime Prevention Specialist for the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, which encompasses SW Minneapolis. She covers the Kingfield Neighborhood along with 9 other neighborhoods in the area.  Many of you that have attended Kingfield Crime Prevention and Safety Meetings and presentations have met her – she is a wonderful free resource!  Here is some important and helpful information about crime prevention that Jennifer has shared with us:

Her role at the police department is to work with the community on any crime or nuisance related issues. She also trains and organizes block club leaders, educates people on crime prevention, conducts free home security surveys, provides personal safety information, and can assist with problem properties. Not sure who your block lead is? Contact Jennifer!

If you want to receive more detailed information about what is happening in the area, you can sign up for the following:
Crime Alerts (for general crime trends, information about upcoming crime prevention events, and for high profile crimes):
Crime Alert Signup
RAIDS Online (interactive crime statistics and maps): www.raidsonline.com
Inside MPD (information about Police Department activities): www.insidempd.com
5th Precinct Newsletter (twice a year information about the officers that respond to our calls): http://goo.gl/wm7MQW

In addition, you can also find many crime prevention resources here

Want to learn more about how the police department works? We strongly encourage everyone to attend a Citizen’s Police Academy for a behind-the-scenes look at what MPD does to keep all of us safe. For more information, visit here

If you ever have any questions or crime related concerns in our neighborhood, please feel free to call or e-mail her:
Jennifer Waisanen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Office (612) 673-5407
Jennifer.Waisanen@minneapolismn.gov

Kingfield Crime Prevention and Safety Updates 11/21/2017

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The Minneapolis Police Department will be providing crime updates on Tuesday night, November 21st, 6:30pm at MLK Park (4055 Nicollet Ave S). Our Crime Prevention Specialist will be there to answer your questions about crime trends in Kingfield and the 5th Precinct.  Learn about resources available to make your home safer.  This is your chance to get specific answers to questions you have about when to use 911, how to report suspicious incidents, and what you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

Kingfield PorchFest Sponsors

  • The Lowbrow
  • Butter Bakery Cafe
  • Pilot
  • Twin Town Guitars
  • Victor's 1959 Cafe