Feb. 5, 2025
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. Coming up, learn about the Crisis Assistance program, safe driving tips for teens, our police department’s Operation Press Check, National Canned Food Month and Connect Fairfax. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
It's been a cold winter so far, which can strain heating systems and budgets. Our Department of Family Services’ Crisis Assistance program helps those who are in a “no heat” situation in their home, such as broken equipment or receiving a disconnection notice. You could receive assistance such as payment of a security deposit, purchase of heating fuel, repair or replacement of broken heating equipment, or supplemental heating equipment. Crisis Assistance applications are accepted until March 17, 2025. To apply for Crisis Assistance, or other food and medical benefits, visit CommonHelp online at commonhelp.virginia.gov, or call 855-635-4370.
Safe driving is crucial, especially for teens learning to drive and children who depend on others for safety. Our police department offers these safety tip reminders:
- Always Buckle Up: Seatbelts save lives. Ensure all passengers are buckled up before starting the car.
- Avoid Distractions: Put away your phone, avoid loud music, and don’t let passengers divert your attention.
- Follow Speed Limits: Speeding is a leading cause of crashes. Drive at safe speeds and adjust for road conditions.
- Limit Passengers: Too many passengers can increase distractions.
- Never Drive Impaired: Avoid alcohol, drugs, or any substance that affects your ability to drive.
- Speak Up for Safety: Passengers should feel empowered to speak up if they feel in danger due to reckless driving.
For younger passengers, ensuring proper restraints is vital:
- Use the correct car seat or booster for your child’s age, weight, and height. Virginia law requires children to use a child restraint device until at least 8 years of age.
- After age 8, ensure the seatbelt fits correctly—lap belt across the thighs and shoulder belt across the chest, avoiding the neck.
- Dress children in thin layers to allow the harness to fit snugly. Use blankets and bring a warmer coat along to put on once you safely reach your destination.
Seatbelts are the most effective way to prevent injuries in a crash. Make it a habit and always buckle up.
Meanwhile, the Fairfax County Police Department’s Operation Press Check initiative continues to achieve success in its mission to combat illegal firearm possession and ensure the safety of Fairfax County. Established in partnership with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Operation Press Check focuses on strengthening investigations and prosecutions of convicted felons found with firearms. This initiative remains an integral part of police strategy to reduce gun violence and improve public safety. Operation Press Check allows our detectives and prosecutors to be focused on successful Felon in Possession of Firearm cases. By working closely with prosecutors, we strengthen these cases and bring FIP cases to successful prosecutions. Operation Press Check achieved significant milestones in 2024, showcasing the ongoing effectiveness of the program. Learn more about Operation Press Check on our Police blog, fcpdnews.wordpress.com.
February is National Canned Food Month, a perfect opportunity to spotlight the importance of canned goods in emergency preparedness. Whether you’re preparing for storms, power outages, or other emergencies, canned foods are a must-have in your survival toolkit. Most canned foods have a shelf life of two years or more, making them a reliable and long-lasting option for stocking up. From hearty soups and protein-packed beans to fruits and vegetables, canned items provide balanced nutrition even when fresh foods are unavailable. Canned goods are also versatile and easy to store. Their compact packaging fits snugly in emergency preparedness kits, and they don’t require refrigeration – ideal for situations where power may be out. Plus, with easy-open lids and no need for elaborate cooking, canned foods are ready to serve when you need them most. But we still recommend keeping a manual can opener in your kit as a backup. Take time to check expiration dates on your canned goods. Rotate older items into your regular pantry and replace them with fresh stock. For a well-rounded kit, aim for a variety of canned proteins, vegetables, fruits, and meals. So, stock up, stay prepared, and let canned goods lead the way to safety! For a comprehensive guide to building your emergency kit, check out the Fairfax County Emergency Kit Checklist: bit.ly/FFXEmergencyKit.
The Fairfax County Police Department is launching Connect Fairfax, a new program aimed at improving public safety by allowing participants to register their security cameras. Registering your camera does not grant police access to your footage.
Connect Fairfax allows community members and commercial property owners to register their security cameras with Fairfax County Police Real Time Crime Center via an online portal. Law enforcement can quickly use this information to reference a map of relevant cameras that may contain actionable evidence that can be reviewed by our detectives. There are two options to participate in Connect Fairfax for community members, businesses, and commercial properties:
- Option 1 – Register Your Cameras: Property owners can register their security cameras for free with Connect Fairfax. Once registered, police will be aware of the camera’s location. In the event of a crime or suspicious activity in your area, our police department may contact you to see if your camera contains relevant footage. The footage collected could be used to solve crimes, locate missing people, or be used for other law-enforcement investigations. Registering your camera does not grant Fairfax County Police access to your footage.
- Option 2 – Register & Integrate Your Cameras. After registering your camera, property owners can choose to integrate their security system directly with Fairfax County Police. This allows the police department to access live footage from your camera during emergencies, criminal investigations, or incidents of suspicious activity nearby.
Get more details on Connect Fairfax from our police blog, fcpdnews.wordpress.com.
Finally, get emergency preparedness information and emergency news by email. Sign up for email updates from the emergency information blog at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog.
That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found on our emergency information blog at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog. Follow the Health and Safety podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And remember, if you have a police, fire, or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.