August 20 - September 6 is "Drunk Drivinig. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." National Crackdown! Additionally, the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is coordinating a Special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP) across the state.

It’s raining. Your windshield wipers give you a faint glimpse of the road ahead. You approach a section of the road covered with water. It doesn’t appear to be very deep. The truck in front of you makes it through. What should you do, drive through the water or turn around? We have talked about flash flood preparation for people in low lying areas all too often this year. Today we remind you of what to do if you are driving and there’s water covering the road. Remember, a flash flood is not something that takes a long time to develop. This is an event that happens quickly. Did you realize that more than half of all people killed in floods are those in vehicles? They make the poor decision to drive down the flooded road either because the vehicle in front of them makes it or because they think the water doesn’t look too deep. NEVER drive into water covering the road. You don't know how deep it is, or if the road is washed out. It only takes 18 inches of water to lift your car or SUV. Once your vehicle becomes buoyant; the water will easily push it sideways. Most vehicles will then tend to roll over, trapping those inside and washing them downstream. If you are driving and the road has water over it, you need to remember this simple saying: “Turn Around – Don’t Drown”. Never drive on a road with water covering it and never drive around barriers blocking a flooded road or it just may cost you your life.

There isn't a day that goes by that you don't hear or see an emergency vehicle—sirens and flashing lights rushing to help someone in dire need. This group, of front-line professionals, police & fire provides round-the-clock protection and life-saving services for our families and communities. In order for these professionals to continue to do their job, we must be responsible in doing our part to ensure their safety when responding to an emergency. Each year in the U.S., while responding to or returning from incidents, there are approximately 16,000 collisions involving fire department emergency vehicles resulting in more than 1,000 firefighter injuries and almost 50 deaths according to the National Fire Protection Association. So far this year, January through April, there have been 45 firefighter fatalities in which 20 percent of those fatalities were involved in a motor vehicle collision while responding to an emergency. Some drivers panic and are unsure of what to do when they see and hear an emergency vehicle, while others do not adhere to the rules of the road. Iowa is one of 40 states with a "Move Over" law requiring drivers to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle or slow down for all emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. This law was created to save lives. Violation of the law carries a fine and/or jail time. When you hear a siren and/or see flashing lights: • Stay calm. • Look for emergency vehicles; also check your rear and side views. • Pull to the right and come to a complete stop. • When traveling on a high-speed road or if there is no room to stop, slow down. • If unable to move to the right edge of the road, adjust your lane position to leave a clear path for the emergency vehicle to pass. • When traveling on an undivided highway, all traffic must pull over. • If you are in the left lane, merge into the right lane as traffic moves over. • If you cannot move to the right because of another vehicle or obstacle, just stop. Your action will let the driver of the emergency vehicle know what you are doing and allow the driver to anticipate where to drive. • When an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind while you are stopped at an intersection, stay where you are unless you can pull to the right. Don't drive through a red light or stop sign. • On a four-lane highway or street without barriers, both sides of traffic pull to the right. • Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and the firefighters are working. • Drivers should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank     and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.
• Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 if a burn warrants serious medical attention.