Hello to each of you. I hope you all are doing well and getting your gardens planted. Maybe you are planting a big garden with lots of healthy food or maybe you are planting just a few seeds in a window planter or on the patio … all will provide heathy and delicious food.

Gardens of any size are good for our souls and nutritious for our bodies.

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Speaking of things that are good for us, this week we share some timely information. Thank you to Modesto Fire Captain Joseph Spani for contributing the following item for this column:

As temperatures climb and summer activities increase families will be spending more time cooking outdoors, using extension cords, charging recreational equipment, and gathering with friends and family. While summer is a time for fun and travel, it’s also an important reminder to make sure your home is protected with working smoke detectors. The Modesto Fire Department smoke detector program helps ensure homes have a properly installed working smoke alarm at no cost to residents. Smoke detectors provide early warning in the event of a fire, giving people valuable time to escape safely.

Smoke Detectors used in this program are donated by community organizations, such as the American Red Cross and provided through grant funding. These donations allow the Modesto Fire Department to place life-saving devices directly into homes throughout the community.

Residents who need smoke detectors can request assistance by calling the Modesto Fire Department administrative office. Firefighters will schedule a visit to the residence and install the smoke detectors in the appropriate locations and ensure they function as intended. There is no cost for the detectors or the installation. Smoke detectors can mean the difference between life and death. According to the National Fire Protection Association the risk of dying in a home fire is significantly reduced with working smoke alarms. We encourage everyone to test their smoke detectors monthly, replace batteries at least twice a year and replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. Smoke alarms should be installed inside and outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

Smoke detectors aren’t a substitute for safe practices around cooking equipment, barbecues, candles, or electrical devices, but they are a critical part of protecting lives and property year-round.

With summer underway, taking a few steps can make a big difference in keeping a family safe. With this program available there is no reason for any home to be without working smoke detectors.

For more information on how to request smoke detectors installation, please call the Modesto Fire Department at 209-572-9590 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Have a safe and happy Summer … Remember our Fire Department has life vests available … loaners … no charge.

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Remember you may reach me, Winnie, by email at winniemullins51@gmail.com or by text or telephone at 209-985-5233.

Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”