Where can I dispose of hazardous waste?
Orange County residents can dispose of their household hazardous waste for FREE at any of the County’s four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. Please click here for more information.
FAQ Topic: Fire FAQs
Where do I dispose of medications?
The Orange County Health Care Agency has multiple drop-off locations throughout the county. The list is available here.
What should I do during an earthquake?
If you are indoors, stay there. Get under a desk or table, or crouch down along an inside wall or hallway. If you are outdoors, get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines. If you are driving, pull your car to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses … Continued
Why do I have to dial 9-1-1? Can’t I call the fire station direct and save time?
The 9-1-1 emergency system is designed to save valuable seconds. When you dial 9-1-1, the system routes the police or fire unit that is closest to your home. Fire stations are not properly equipped to take emergency calls and calling the station directly actually wastes response time.
Do I need to put a smoke alarm in every room? How many do I need?
Smoke alarms should be placed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On floors without bedrooms, alarms should be installed in or near living areas such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms. For more information, check out OCFA’s Smoke Alarm and Home Escape Plan.
What kind of fire extinguisher should I buy?
Homeowners should buy an extinguisher that can handle class A-B-C fires. They should be designed to extinguish fires that usually occur in homes, including wood, paper, flammable liquids and electrical fires. Call (714) 573-6200 for a fire extinguisher brochure.
When I go on vacation. Should I let the fire department know?
Contact your local law enforcement agency when leaving for vacation. Leave an emergency number with your neighbors where you can be contacted in case the OCFA must respond to an incident at your home. Also leave a key with a responsible party and let us know who the party is in case we have to … Continued
What is the best thing to do for a burn?
Cool a burn with water. Do not use ointments, butter or other substances. For minor burns contact a physician. For serious burns, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
A member of my family is disabled. What does he/she do during a fire?
Assure that you have a well-defined escape plan. Make sure that people who are confined to a wheelchair have immediate access to their wheelchair when an emergency occurs. Call your local police department to make sure the person’s special needs are in the 9-1-1 dispatch system.
How do I go about drawing up an escape plan for my home/business?
The four basic steps to draw up an escape plan for your home includes the following: Draw a floor-plan of your home Agree on a meeting place Practice your escape plan Make your exit drill realistic For a brochure on exit drills in the home, call the Corporate Communications department at (714) 573-6200.