Program to Focus on Keeping Holidays Safe

Tis’ the season, unfortunately, for Christmas tree fires.

To help prevent these types of accidents, the Los Angeles Fire Department will hold a demonstration at the San Fernando Gardens Community Center in Pacoima on Wednesday.

“We’re having this demonstration because the last thing you want to see during the Christmas season is a fire, and we don’t need to wait for this to happen,” said Mario Matute, project director for the center.

In addition, representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department and the city’s Housing Authority will demonstrate how to properly install child car seats.

Finally, they will discuss the dangers of drinking and driving.

“The significance of the holidays is that a lot of people drink and drive and we want to prevent, educate and remind the community that you can’t,” Matute said. “We want peace in the community and to see everyone happy.”

Raffles will be held at the demonstration for child car seats and strollers, which were donated by Youth Enterprises Systems Inc., an organization founded by former Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Anthony Smith.

And Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the center on 10896 Lehigh Ave. in Pacoima.

For more information, call the center at (818) 834-9266 or the Housing Authority at (213) 252-1862.