March 2026 Sunriver Scene - Flipbook - Page 31
Spring may be on the way but don't dimiss
winter - just yet; how to plan an escape route
By Jim Bennett
Hang on a little longer, we're
moving closer to spring!
However, March can still
bring significant snowfall, so
don't let your guard down.
Practice safe winter driving
habits and keep access to your
homes and fire hydrants clear
should snow arrive before the
daffodils.
Last month, we had a conversation about a home escape plan
and a meeting place.
Be sure to check out the
article if you haven't already
and then add this second part
to your planning to keep your
family safe.
Plan your escape route
We discussed escaping, but
what if escape is impossible?
First, every bedroom should already have two points of escape,
so situations with no escape
should be rare. Typically, escape
points are through the bedroom
door and out a window.
We talked about having a
foldable ladder or another way
to escape from second stories,
but if there are obstructions
preventing successful deployment of the ladder, that defeats
the purpose.
A safe escape requires making
sure there are no large plants or
other obstructions below the
window.
If leaving the room during
an emergency is nearly impossible, you will certainly need to
make difficult but life-saving
decisions.
It is critical to do everything
possible to let others know you
are still in the room by calling
911 if you have a phone and
making noise to alert others you
are trapped in the room.
If you have even a small access point to the outside (such
as a window you can't crawl
through), wave a sheet or another item out the window to alert
responders of your location.
The National Fire Protection
Association describes your next
steps as "sealing yourself in for
safety," if unable to escape. Fill
gaps especially around doors
and vents to keep the smoke
out. A roll of duct tape in each
room is effective for filling the
gaps with ideally wet towels.
If you have a family member
with limited mobility, move
that to the top of your planning
list so they can be safely and effectively helped to escape from
the home.
What type of assistance will
they need in the escape?
Think about the various
scenarios of what the person
would need to escape in the
event of a fire.
Make sure if they use a wheelchair that it will fit through the
doors or they won’t encounter
other obstacles.
Create a plan for their escape
if their bedroom is on the second floor. Practice all of these
responses with everyone so that
all family members can help
those needing assistance safely
exit the home.
As mentioned previously,
escape plans must be known
by everyone from hearing the
fire alarm to arriving at the designated meeting place outside
the home. Even with the most
ear-piercing of alarms, there are,
in rare situations, individuals
who simply do not wake up.
This happens many times with
young children. While it might
be a tough night, test the alarm
one evening after bedtime to
make sure everyone wakes up.
If you have a family member
who is deaf or hearing impaired,
make sure you have installed
alert systems that will wake
them through other means.
Just like last month, check
your preparations for escape,
make sure everyone is dialed in,
include the information shared
this month, and practice, practice, practice. The hope is this
will never be needed, but in the
event it is, your survivability
goes way up when you have a
plan, and everyone knows what
to do.
Spring forward on March 8
Do not forget to “spring your
clocks forward” on Sunday,
March 8. It’s also the time of
year to check and test your
smoke alarms. Make sure to
replace batteries and check expiration dates on 10-year devices.
Finally, mark your calendar
for the second annual Wildfire
Preparedness Fair from noon
to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 16 at
SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd.
There will be great information for everyone on how best
to prepare for wildfire season,
resources available and other
information you need to know.
Stay safe and enjoy the remainder of the last half of
winter.
–Jim Bennett is the public information officer for the Sunriver
Fire Department.
Sunriver Police Log
Selected log entries collected by the Scene
BAC = Blood Alcohol Content
DCJ = Deschutes County Jail
DCSO = Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
DUII = Driving Under Influence of Intoxicants
DWS = Driving While Suspended
FTA = Failure to Appear
GOA = Gone On Arrival
MIP = Minor In Possession
MVA = Motor Vehicle Accident
OSP = Oregon State Police
RP = Reporting Person
R&Rs = Rules & Regulations
SCMC = St. Charles Medical Center
SPD = Sunriver Police Department
SFST = Standardized Field Sobriety Test
UTL = Unable To Locate
1-1 A domestic dispute was reported at the Sunriver Lodge. Two intoxicated subjects were in a verbal argument.
1-2 Officers were dispatched to an assault/lobby contact at the
Sunriver Police Station. Subsequent to the investigation, a report
was taken and harassment charges were referred to the district attorney for consideration.
1-3 Officers responded to a rollover motor vehicle accident on Spring
River Road. The driver was uninjured and given a courtesy ride to his
home. The vehicle was towed.
1-5 Officer took the report of a theft that possibly occurred in
Sunriver on Overlook Road.
1-7 Officers responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 97.
1-10 Responded to a report of a theft at the Sunriver Country store
A woman was seen onvideo putting unpaid cosmetic items into her
coat pocket and then entered the store bathroom. She later paid for
some items but did not pay for the three cosmetic items totaling
$34.47. The packaging was later found in the bathroom and reported to the store owner. Upon further investigation, the female had
previously been trespassed from the location. The investigation is
still ongoing.
1-18 A citation was issued for violation of SROA Parking Regulations
Turn to Log, page 35
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MARCH 2026 SUNRIVER SCENE
Page 31
