Plan Ahead for Fireworks Safety

from Travis County ESD No. 2 – Pflugerville Fire Dept.

If you choose to light personal fireworks this holiday, please remember that you must get permission from the property owner – even if it’s a commercial property not in use at nighttime.

Remember that fireworks are NOT legal to use on or around schools and Travis County parks.  They’re also not legal on Wells Branch Municipal Utility District (MUD) property, which includes all MUD facilities, parks, trails, greenbelts, Mills Pond, drainage detention areas, the veloway, and the grassy area located at Robert I. Walker and Charla Circle.

But if you choose to light fireworks in a safe, legal location, Travis County ESD No. 2 (Pflugerville Fire Dept.) wants you to better understand the dangers of fireworks and work together as a family to stay safe.  Rather than risking your safety with personal  fireworks, we strongly recommend checking out a professional fireworks show.  A great option in this area is the 4th Fest in Wells Branch!

Here are other safety tips for your family:

Respect Vets and Pets

• Please respect your neighbors if you choose to light fireworks. This year, July 4th falls on a weeknight when many families will be working the next day.  Keep in mind that the sound of fireworks can be very stressful for some veterans and others who  experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We all know that managing stress can be challenging, which is why products like CBD Oil UK can provide valuable assistance. Alternatively, taking 3chi delta 9 will help you feel relaxed and improve your mood. It also scares many dogs and other pets.

Make Fireworks a Family Activity

• Before the holiday, make a point to discuss fireworks safety with everyone in your family to decrease the chance of someone getting hurt.
• Never let children purchase fireworks without parents there—even older kids.
• Insist on adult supervision whenever fireworks are being lit—even for older kids. Children age 10 to 14 years old actually get the second-most number of fireworks burns and injuries, right behind preschoolers and toddlers!
• Kids who are younger than kindergarten-age should never be allowed to hold any fireworks on their own, including sparklers. Sparklers reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees, which is hot enough to melt metal. Give little kids glow-sticks instead.  Pass the sparklers to much older kids and adults to carefully light ONE at a time—ideally wearing gloves.

Preparing to Light Fireworks

• Only light fireworks OUTSIDE on a flat surface that’s far from any homes or buildings. Don’t light fireworks near dry grass or leaves—you can catch them on fire.
• Before you light a firework, take a good look around to be sure there aren’t any people or pets in range of possibly getting hurt.
• Don’t lean over firework devices or place your hand over them when lighting. Immediately back up as far as you can after lighting!  The body parts that suffer the most fireworks injuries are fingers, hands, eyes, face, and ears.

Safely Disposing of Fireworks

• Don’t try to re-light fireworks that didn’t work on the first try! Leave them alone, then thoroughly soak them in water with a bucket or hose before you try to handle them.
• Double-wrap ALL fireworks in plastic before throwing them in the trash. The same is true for a firework you find sitting on the ground that looks like it’s been used. It may still be active and could re-ignite in your hand or pocket.
• Fireworks are poisonous to pets. Symptoms may include vomiting, a painful  abdomen, and bloody diarrhea.  Be sure not to leave behind any used fireworks where pets (yours or someone else’s) spend time.

Snap, Crackle, Pop!  The WBNA 4thFest Silent Auction is back with a bang!

Fundraising is more important than ever in 2021 as we were unable to host our silent auction last year. This year’s auction will offer the best of both worlds. The WBNA will be hosting an online auction the week before the 4th with plenty of “Buy-It-Now” options followed by our customary “live” silent auction at the WB MUD Community Center on the 4th of July. We have already received an amazing collection of gifts, and are so grateful to all the community members who have donated.

More importantly, we’ve missed our neighbors and really look forward to seeing all of you on the 4th! Our hours are a little different this year as the MUD has made a few changes to the entertainment schedule, but we hope you’ll be able to stop by for a visit before or after the parade. Malone Coffee and Dream Bakery have generously donated coffee and cookies to start the day off right. Watch for the WBNA parade float and Andy the Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse and check back here for the link to the online auction once it goes live!

Online Auction:  June 25th — July 2nd, wbna.us for details
Live Final Bids:  July 4th, 9am – Noon, WBCC, 2106 Klattenhoff

May 2021 TCSO Town Hall Meeting Notes

by Margaret McGhee-Sufke, President, WBNA

First, thank you to all those who attended the May 25th Travis County Sheriff’s Office Virtual Town Hall meeting.  The meeting was very well attended with roughly 70 community members on the call.  The TCSO team noted at the end of the call that the Wells Branch session was by far, the most successful of any of the recent virtual sessions.  For those of you unable to attend, Travis County has provided us with the recent WB Crime Stats and offered an in-depth review of the questions presented by various community members.  Click HERE to read the transcript of the presentation.

At the end of the transcript, there is an excellent list of resources worth saving.  For additional information on programs offered by the TCSO Community Outreach unit, please visit:  https://www.tcsheriff.org/about/community/community-outreach-unit

In addition to the event transcript and the crime stats update, we’ve included several recent safety articles (below and here, under the Safety tab.)

To close, I would offer the suggestion made by the entire TCSO team.  Get out there, meet your neighbors and get to know them.  Working as a community is the best way to protect our neighborhood.

We’re looking forward to our next safety event; watch for updates for National Night Out coming Tuesday, October 5.

Summer Safety Reminders

 Summertime is here and the weather is beautiful.  Unfortunately, this wonderful weather sometimes causes us to forget about the security of our belongings.  When the weather is nice, we tend to open windows and doors to take advantage of the sunshine and warm breeze.  It is very important to remember that everything you open must be re-secured.  Summer is a great time in Wells Branch – keep yourself and your property safe this summer by following the suggestions in this article.

~ Major Craig Smith, Travis County Sheriff’s Office

Most of the crimes around Wells Branch are crimes of opportunity and yes, we’ve seen an increase the last several months as have ALL surrounding areas.  Unfortunately, those types of crime tend to increase as the weather gets warmer.  Make that extra effort to NOT become a victim. There are criminal defense lawyers based in Seattle that can help with the legal aid needed.

• Take your keys.
• Lock your car. Custom Converting Inc does window tinting Lynchburg.
• Don’t leave anything of value in plain sight.  Better yet, take it in the house.
• Keep your garage doors closed; do not leave an open garage unattended.
• Check if you need any repairs for your garage doors, if needed, then check out online sites like titangaragedoors.ca/service-area/garage-door-repair-in-maple-ridge.
• Always lock the inside garage door.
• If you park your car in the driveway or on the street, make sure you take the remote garage door opener in with you.  A garage door opener gives instant protected access to your home and your belongings.
• Park in the garage, or keep your driveway well-lit at night.
• Padlock your gates.
• Check your mail every single day.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• When leaving your home, pay close attention to anything that doesn’t look right.
• Never put yourself at risk.
• Meet your immediate neighbors and trade contact information.
• Report any street light outages immediately.  Contact info below.
• Call 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY if you see ANYTHING suspicious.  Many of the break-ins we’ve suffered could have been prevented.  The Sheriff’s Office can’t be everywhere all the time.  They rely on neighbors to be their eyes and ears in their absence and to alert them to dangerous situations.  Don’t stop to ask a friend, the Google Group, Facebook or the folks on Nextdoor.  Call 9-1-1 FIRST, then share with your neighbors.  Time is of the essence.  If you’re not sure if it’s an emergency – DON’T WORRY – the dispatcher will prioritize the call.  Never be afraid to call!  Travis County would much rather answer a false alarm than deal with a tragedy later.  If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t – CALL!

A NOTE ABOUT 3-1-1:  In short, DON’T USE IT to report crimes.  3-1-1 is a City of Austin service and we’re in the county.  While you would eventually be routed to the correct entity, it’s always best (and quickest) to call 9-1-1 and tell them you’re in Travis County.  If you need to report a crime that’s already taken place (not in progress), you may call the non-emergency number at 512-974-0845 and press 3 to be connected, file a report online https://tcsheriff.org/community/file-a-report, or call 9-1-1 and they’ll route your call appropriately.  3-1-1 may be used to report street light outages for Austin Energy lights (not Oncor) and Animal Control if it’s a non-emergency.  If you’re in need of immediate assistance, always call 9-1-1.  In addition, 3-1-1 does not work with some cell carriers when dialed from outside the city limits.  To report graffiti for removal, contact the WB MUD via http://www.wellsbranchmud.com/services/graffiti-report-removal.

 ***City of Austin Street Light Outages, call 3-1-1 and report the number posted about 7 feet up the affected pole.

***Oncor Street Light Outages, visit: https://www.oncorstreetlight.com/.  You’ll be connected to an interactive map.

Vacation Safety Tips 

• Let a neighbor and/or block captain know you’ll be out of town and when you’ll return. They should have the following: your emergency contact information; contact information for anyone with access to your house (pet sitter, etc.); when they should be expected; what they look like and a description of their vehicle(s).
• Let only those who NEED to know, know when you are going out of town.
• Don’t share vacation plans OR photos on social media.
• Arrange to have your lawn cared for if you are going to be away.
• Don’t hide keys under doormats, flowerpots or in similar places.
• Put your lights, stereo and/or TV on timers.
• Leave a car in the driveway or ask a neighbor to park in it.
• Don’t cancel your paper or mail deliveries; ask that your neighbor pick them up every day.
• Leave a key with a friend or neighbor; ask that the house be checked at regular intervals.
• Keep your house well lit at night (backyard included) with a motion sensor or photocell activated light.
• Store all your valuables.
• Consider asking friends or relatives to live in your home while you are away.
• Ask your neighbor to put trash in your trashcan and to put it out for collection and away when they put theirs away.

File a Close Patrol Request.  The filing of this form alerts patrolling officers so that they may pay close attention to one’s residence.  To do so: Contact the Travis County      Sheriff’s Office at 512-854-9721.  Ask to make a Close Patrol Request.  You will be asked for information on those caring for your home while you’re away: make and model of their vehicles, name, description and times they should be at your home.