By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 17, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--“On average 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits occur annually, reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Firefighters and Paramedics respond to thousands of accidents every day.”

Follow some of these tips to help prevent accidents in your home:

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 5, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- The flu season is here and like a wildfire, it seems to be spreading rapidly.  Symptoms may include: A 100 ^oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever), a cough and/or sore throat,  runny or stuffy nose. headaches and/or body aches, chills. fatigue. nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children).

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 23, 2013 (San Diego) -- It’s finally here!  Everything is out and up, presents are wrapped and time to eat and enjoy (if only it were that easy…) Here are some tips to keep your feasts safe during this Holiday season:

Go wash your hands!  Use hot soapy water to wash your hands, utensils, and work surfaces (including cutting boards). Repeat this throughout your preparation to ensure you aren't spreading bacteria around. 

December 11, 2013 (San Diego) – “Now that the outdoor decorations are in place, let’s look at a few indoor safety tips,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. 

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness.  When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators.  “Heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water,” reminds Chief DiGiovanna. Do not block doorways. Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.  Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.  Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.  Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. 

November 25, 2013 (San Diego) – Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when holiday gift buying begins.  Sales offering big discounts lure customers into stores, often beginning in the early hours of the morning.  “Unfortunately, Black Friday (and most major shopping days) is a day when shoppers may become victims of crimes and injuries,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

November 14, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) –Electrical failures cause thousands of home fires every year, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Those fires cause death and injuries and close to $1.5 billion dollars in property damage. One simple way homeowners can prevent costly electrical fires is with a home fire inspection.  Many fire departments offer this service—often free of charge.

Ask your local department about having an inspection for potential electrical issues and recommend steps for improving fire safety. An inspection should review all fire hazards in your home, from testing smoke detectors to making sure curtains and other flammables are a safe distance from heat sources.

October 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Homeowners in hillside communities, you can help your firefighters by creating defensible space around your home as we experience our first Santa Ana Wind event of the season. There are currently Red Flag Warnings in effect and more to come as we head into dry, warm and windy weather over the next few days.

By Sam DiGiovanna

September 5, 2013 (San Diego) – Are You Prepared? Jeeepers, What Next?

It seems there are so many things we need to be prepared for, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. How do you keep up and prepare with all these life and worldly events?

September is the 10th Annual National Preparedness Month, which means that public safety agencies are busy working on a number of events to ensure that their communities are educated, informed, and ready to face any type of crisis situation. “This year’s national theme is ‘Be Your Own Hero,’” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 30, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – We are in the monsoon season, where pop-up thunderstorms can quickly and unexpectedly bring flash floods no matter where you live, warns Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Though part of natures beauty, these storms can be very dangerous.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 11, 2013 (San Diego) – Before a wildfire strikes:

• Know where your gas, electric and water main shut-off controls are and how to use them.
• Become familiar with your community’s disaster-preparedness plans and create a family plan.
• Plan several escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place.
• Put together an emergency kit.
• Ensure you follow your local fire code and adhere to its brush compliance program

July 1, 2013 (San Diego) – With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before you and your family celebrate, make sure everyone knows about 4th of July safety, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. If not handled properly, fireworks, barbeques and heat can be dangerous and cause injuries to kids and adults. The best advice: “Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals,” says Chief DiGiovanna.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 17, 2013 (San Diego) – It’s summer time, and time for a vacation! Many of us may be ready for or planning a vacation for the summer months.  Here are some safety tips to help make your vacation safe and enjoyable says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Vacation safety actually begins while you are still at home and begins with planning for safety!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

It’s safe to say Summer is here! Memorial Day is behind us, schools getting out for summer break and Hot Weather is ahead. Many of us will certainly be headed for the pools!  Before you take the plunge, read this says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

May 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – We are currently under severe fire conditions.  Homeowners are advised to do the following if there are reports of wildland fires:

• Listen to local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information. Follow instructions of local officials regarding the safest escape route. (It may be different than you expect; wildland fires can change direction and speed up suddenly.)

• If you have one, turn on your FRS Radio and set it to your neighborhood’s channel and code. Check in, and continue to monitor for new information. Channel ______ Code _______

• If you believe the fire is too close to your location, evacuate immediately. (The fire may be moving too fast for officials to issue evacuation notifications.) Choose a route away from the fire and other potential fire hazards.

April 27, 2013 (San Diego) – Boston, Ricin, West Texas, what’s next? I didn’t think I’d be addressing this as the “safety topic” for the week, however. It’s been very tough last week for most of the Nation. There is something we can do!

"Homeland Security starts with Hometown Security, and all of us play a critical role in keeping our Country and communities safe,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  No matter what you do, day to day activities like driving, going to work, or walking down the street include some threat to your personal safety.  Either through crime or circumstance, people and events can be unpredictable. This was evident last week in Boston.