A Taste of Wellness

October 2025-Volume 4-Issue 9

In This Issue

Nourishing News

October is here! This month, we’re blending wellness with awareness as we highlight National Fire Prevention Month and celebrate Halloween with safety in mind. In this issue, you will find tips and tricks that will help keep you and your family safe, healthy, and worry-free to enjoy all the thrills that October has to offer. Let’s spark awareness and enjoy all the spooky festivities!

October is National Fire Prevention Month!

By Naomi Orantes, Health Education Specialist San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Preparedness and Response

Fires can start unexpectedly and cause devastating impacts. With high temperatures and strong winds, San Bernardino County is often vulnerable to wildfire events. This month we want to remind you about the importance of preparing for fire emergencies.

As the iconic Smokey Bear once said, “Only you can prevent wildfires”. Did you know that, in the state of California, almost every wildfire is caused by human activities?

Prevent Wildfires:

1. Check weather and drought conditions: Avoid any activities that involve fire or sparks when it’s hot, dry, and windy.
2. Fireworks: Check conditions and regulations before you use fireworks or consider safe alternatives. Use only State Fire Marshal approved fireworks.
3. Don’t drive or park on dry grass: Driving or parking on dry grass or tall weeds or letting tow chains drag on roads or grass can create sparks.
4. Grill safely: Extinguish hot coals and campfires. Ensure that coal, embers, or ashes are cool and the fire is entirely out.
5. Be careful with lawn and power tools on hot days: Tools that have not been regularly maintained can produce sparks from their exhaust.
6. Lithium-ion battery safety: Keep batteries at room temperature when possible. Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged. Do not throw batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they can start a fire.

Protect your Home:

During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm can save lives. Install smoke alarms and test them monthly. Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in the hallway of your home near sleeping areas. Avoid corners where air does not circulate.

Fires can damage your property. Set up defense zones to protect your home. Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.

Start from your home and work your way out. The first five feet extending from your home have been scientifically proven to be the most important when it comes to improving your home’s wildfire survivability.

Plan for Fires:

Fires can happen quickly and grow spontaneously often leaving those that are affected with little time to think or react. Having a plan in place before an emergency can help protect your health and safety, as well as the well-being of your loved ones and those around you.

• Plan for power outages: Wildfires may cause power outages, so have backup plans for electrical medical devices and medicines that must be refrigerated and have a battery powered radio so you can hear emergency updates.
• Know your escape routes: Identify at least three ways out of your home, workplace, or neighborhood. Road closures are common during wildfires.
• Find meeting places: Choose familiar places to meet up and practice getting there. Pick one in your neighborhood, one outside your neighborhood, and one outside your town in case you have to change plans based on the fire’s location.
• Plan for your pets: Create specific arrangements for pets and larger animals, like horses and other livestock. For more information visit: animalcare.sbcounty.gov/petpreparedness.
• Build an emergency supply kit or go bag: Fires can force you to evacuate quickly, so pack a go bag ahead of time. Pack enough water, non-perishable food, and essential supplies to last several days. Remember to include key items for babies, elders, people with medical needs, and pets.

Stay Informed:

Sign up for emergency alerts. TENS is the Telephone Emergency Notification System for San Bernardino County. During a major incident, San Bernardino County uses TENS to send highspeed mass notifications by telephone and text messages. This system provides critical updates like evacuation information, as quickly as possible.

To sign up for TENS alerts visit: smart911.com/smart911.

Resources:

The American Red Cross is offering free home fire safety information and smoke alarm installations in San Bernardino County. To request a free smoke alarm appointment, visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal or call (714) 481-5334.

Learn more about hardening your home and creating defensible spaces at: readyforwildfire.org.

For more information on how you can prepare for emergencies visit: prepare.sbcounty.gov.

From Our Kitchen to Yours

By Marilyn Alicea, Health Education Assistant San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Wellness Services

Recipe: Apple Crumble

Fall is my favorite season, the crisp air, changing leaves, and the comfort of warm, spiced foods and drinks. Apple crumble, in particular, has always been my go-to dish this time of year. It’s simple, flavorful, and packed with everything I love about autumn – the tender apples, cinnamon, and the delicious golden oat topping. Baking this yummy dish truly gets me into the fall season. In search of a healthier recipe, I stumbled upon this scrumptious apple crumble recipe from Amyshealthybaking.com. This is a wonderful alternative for your guilt-free, apple pie cravings during the autumn season.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and coat an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. To prepare the crumble topping, whisk together the oats, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Make a well in the center. Pour in the maple syrup and melted butter. Stir until fully incorporated.
3. To prepare the filling, toss the apples with the cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until completely coated.
4. Transfer the filling to the prepared pan and gently press down with a spatula. Sprinkle evenly with the topping. (The topping tends to clump a lot, so break it up into small pieces, about the size of miniature chocolate chips, to ensure it covers the apples.) Bake at 350° F for 50-60 minutes or until the apples are fork tender. Cool completely to room temperature; then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving to allow the juices to fully thicken.

NOTES:

• Measure the flour and oats correctly in the recipe instructions, too much of either will dry out the crumble.
• As for the apples, they will bake evenly and soften when diced to the size of a blueberry.
• If you prefer to have your crumble warm, reheat your portion once it has chilled in the refrigerator completely. Do not substitute steel cut oats as they don’t soften properly.
• You can use vegan butter as a substitute for butter, honey, or agave syrup instead of maple syrup, and gluten-free or whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 110 – Total Fat: 2.5g – Saturated Fat: 1.5g – Cholesterol: 5mg – Sodium: 0mg – Total Protein: 1g – Carbohydrates: 22g – Fiber: 2g – Sugar: 10g

Stay Fire Smart, So a Fire Won’t Start!

By Lizbeth Serrano, Administrative Secretary/Safety Coordinator San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Nutrition and Wellness Services

It is National Fire Prevention Month! As the Safety Coordinator for Nutrition and Wellness Services, I would like to share some safety tips on how to stay fire-smart in the workplace. Staying fire smart and practicing these necessary steps helps protect lives, prevent injury, and safeguards property from the terrible effects of fire.

Here are some tips and resources that will ensure your safety in the workplace.

Always be prepared –

Be Alert! Act Fast! If a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to spring into action. It’s best to plan ahead and practice fire drills at least once a year to ensure that your fellow co-workers are fire smart and aware of all of the available escape routes. Keep in mind to accommodate those with special needs so that they are also able to escape safely. Designate a meeting place, an area outside of the building away from harm, where everyone can meet safely in the event of a fire. Always keep walkways clear so that there are no obstructions at all times for a quick escape. You can find more evacuation safety tips by visiting www.usfa.fema.gov.

Electrical safety –

Check that all equipment is maintained and functioning properly. Always ensure that any electrical work is done by a qualified professional. A common fire hazard that can happen around the workplace are electrical malfunctions. Most common hazards are daisy chaining and improper use of appliances. Make sure to use the appropriate power strips or power outlets. You can find more information about electrical safety by viewing the San Bernardino County Risk Management Electrical Fact Sheet.

Keep the work area clear of fire hazards –

Ensure smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are maintained regularly. A smoke detector should be installed in every room and should be replaced every ten years from the manufacturer date. Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible. A good safety tip to discuss at staff meetings is where staff can locate the fire extinguishers. Learn how to use fire extinguishers by using the P.A.S.S. system. This acronym stands for –

• Pull the pin
• Aim at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the handle
• Sweep side to side.

You can find more information about fire extinguishers by visiting www.usfa.fema.gov.

Taking precautions for fire safety is important in keeping everyone safe and safeguarding property from damage. Quick decision making can mean saving a life in the event of a fire. Let’s be fire smart, so a fire doesn’t start and practice fire prevention. If you have any questions about fire safety or safety in general, please contact your supervisor or designated safety coordinator.

Tips From a Health Educator

By Maureen Tran, Health Education Assistant, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Nutrition and Wellness Services

Ways to Prevent Cooking Fires at Home

Cooking brings family and friends together, but did you know that according to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries from 2017-2019? So, what can you do in your home to prevent kitchen fires? Below are tips you can follow to keep your family safe!

• Keep the area around your stove clean and clear of items that can catch fire like curtains, oven mitts, potholders, towels, wooden utensils, food packaging, bags, and other appliances.
• Watch what you are cooking and stay in the kitchen while you’re sautéing, frying, grilling, or broiling food. Turn the burner off if you start to see any smoke or grease starting to boil.
• Stay in your home while simmering, boiling, baking, or roasting food. Check food regularly and use a timer so you can remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby – you can use it to cover a pan if it catches fire. Leave the lid in place until the pan has cooled completely.
• Never pour water on a grease fire! This can cause burning grease to splash and potentially spread the fire or cause severe injuries. Instead, cover the fire with a lid or use a fire extinguisher to put it out.
• If the fire is larger than you can handle, exit your home and call 9-1-1.

For additional preparedness tips, visit redcross.org

Did You Know?

Halloween Safety

Now that we’ve covered fire safety, let’s talk about some facts about Halloween that you may or may not have been aware of. Halloween is all about costumes, treats, and fun, but it’s also a great time to sneak in a little wellness and safety knowledge to be as safe as possible during spooky season!

According to the National Safety Council, “Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Pedestrians wearing good retroreflective materials, particularly materials that highlight a person’s shape and moving extremities (i.e. wrists and ankles), or widespread use of active (flashing) lights can be detected hundreds of feet farther than can pedestrians in normal clothing, even with low-beam illumination.

Be as prepared as possible this Halloween by using reflective gear and tape, carrying glow sticks and flashlights, being extra cautious around active roadways, looking both ways before crossing the street, and ensuring your loved ones stick together. By taking these necessary steps and being prepared, we can help ensure that Halloween remains fun, festive, and a safe celebration for everyone. Smart choices and a little caution make for sweet, spooky nights.

Let’s not forget about our furry friends! For tips on how to keep your pets safe, be sure to view the next page for some insight from San Bernardino County’s Animal Care services.

Happy Howl-oween: Keeping Pets Safe and Enriched

By Briana Garcia, MPH, Health Education Specialist II, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Animal Care

Keeping pets happy isn’t just about food and water — it’s about keeping their minds and bodies active, too. At San Bernardino County Animal Care, our Shelter Pet Enrichment Program provides daily activities like puzzle toys, playtime, and frozen treats to help reduce stress and build confidence in adoptable pets (SB County Animal Care, 2025).

But enrichment isn’t just for shelter animals — it’s something every pet parent can do at home. Studies show that mental stimulation improves behavior, reduces boredom, and strengthens the bond between pets and their families. Simple ideas include teaching a new trick, going on a walk, or making a frozen snack and with Halloween right around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with some healthy and festive pumpkin treats!

Pumpkin Paws Frozen Treat

Ingredients:

• ½ cup pure pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
• 2 tbsp plain, unsweetened yogurt
• 1 small ripe banana
• sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

• Mash banana and mix with pumpkin and yogurt. Spoon into ice cube trays or silicone molds, then freeze. These festive treats are healthy, tasty, and fun for pets!

Don’t forget Halloween safety! The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that nearly 50% of Halloween-related pet emergencies involve accidental candy ingestion. Keep chocolate and xylitol out of paw’s reach, create a quiet space away from trick-or-treaters, and ensure collars and microchips are up to date.

Learn more about enrichment, volunteering, and how you can make a difference at sbcountyanimalcare.com. Together, we can give every pet at the shelter and at home a happier, healthier life.