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Summer Safety Information
Wildfires
Wildfires can spread quickly and suddenly. During dry periods use extra caution with potential fire hazards.
Heat
Heat can be a silent but serious health issue. Make sure to dress for summer – lightweight & light-colored clothing.
UV Index
Overexposure to the sun is easy to do in our area. Of course, sunburn is an immediate effect but long-term problems – skin cancer and cataracts – are potentially more significant.
Rip Currents
Rip currents are powerful currents of water flowing away from shore and is estimated to be the cause of more than 100 deaths per year on U.S. shorelines.
Flooding
“Turn Around, Don’t Drown” is the National Weather Service motto. Never drive through a flooded roadway.
Lightning
Outdoor activities along with frequent thunderstorms are lethal combinations in Florida & Georgia each year.
Tornadoes
The First Coast has had several noteworthy tornado outbreaks the last few years &, of course, there were the deadly tornadoes that ripped through Central Florida just this past February.
Summer Safety Tips
JaxParks “Top Five” Summer Safety Tips
Take care of yourself - Respect spiders and snakes...
JaxParks Boater Safety Tips
Based on information provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 35 boating accidents were reported in Duval County in 2005.
JaxParks Water Safety Tips
In 2005, 382 Florida residents and 73 non-residents drowned. Of these, 74 of the Florida residents and 4 of the non-residents were children age 4 and under.
Help Your Pet Beat the Heat
Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace on a hot day--and overheating can kill an animal.
Dog Days of Summer
For many people, summer means outdoors, food and fun. Nothing beats hanging out with your favorite people and your family pets.
Hurricane Preparedness Pet Emergency Kit
The best way to protect your family from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets.
Finding Shelter for your Pets
After the events of Hurricane Katrina, there is absolutely no reason for the citizens of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida to not be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season.
Water Safety
Carrie Speight of Jacksonville warns parents to never become complacent while watching their kids.
Skin Cancer
While many of us choose to live in Florida for the purpose of enjoying the sunshine, those rays can be harmful for our skin.
Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke
It’s one of the most common injuries lifeguards at Jacksonville Beach see every summer- heat exhaustion.
Animal Bites
If you are unfortunate enough to get bit this summer by one of our furry friends, the first thing you should do is thoroughly clean the area with soap and water.
Insect Bites
While insect bites are annoying, fortunately most are not harmful. Typically a bite from insects like mosquitoes, fleas and flies will produce a small, itchy bump that lasts a few hours to a few days.
New Kind of Skate Shoe
By now you've probably seen a few dozen children fly past you at a mall as if they were wearing roller skates.
Making Helmets "Cool"
Wearing a helmet may not be the "cool" thing to do, but it will save your life like it did mine.
Camping
Camping can be a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. And what's better than sitting around the camp fire?
Grills
It's time to fire up that grill and enjoy those steamy summer nights. But be warned gas and charcoal grills are blamed for thousands of fires every year.
Fireworks
Nothing says the 4th of July like fireworks. For many of us the public displays just aren't enough- we want to set-off our own.



From Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh
The First Alert Weather Center takes seriously the responsibility of keeping you and your family “weather-informed”.
Warning you first, accurately and in a calm manner around the clock when dangerous weather is approaching or is forecast to occur is something you’ve come to expect from the First Alert Weather Center. Read More >>

Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category One - Minimal
  • Winds: 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr)
  • Storm Surge: Generally 4-5 ft above normal
  • Damage: No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
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