safety tips

CHIEF’S CORNER: SPRING CLEANING AND SPRING SAFETY

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

March 30, 2023 (San Diego) -- The recent storms proved many were not fully prepared for when disaster strikes. Make sure you have an “all hazards” preparedness plan with supplies in place!

Help spring your home into being safe and organized by following these steps:


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KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE WHILE YOU'RE AWAY

 

Reprinted with permission from www.Safety.com. Find more home safety tips at their website.

June 14, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Over 70% of burglaries in 2015 took place at residential homes — with each of these burglaries costing homeowners an average of $2,316, according to a recent FBI Crime Report. Not to mention the lost peace of mind suffered by burglary victims. But did you know there are many easy ways to reduce your chance of becoming one of these statistics? Keep burglars away by putting into practice these five simple home security tips.


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HOW FAST DOES YOUR CAR HEAT UP?

 

Never leave pets or kids alone in a vehicle on a warm day, even for a short time

June 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The inside of your car heats up rapidly, even when it’s not scorching hot outside.  In just ten minutes on  70 degree day, the car’s interior can reach 104 degrees—and with 95 degree heat outside, your car’s interior can hit 129 degrees in that same short time.  Never leave your pet, child or any person alone in a car on a warm day, even for a few minutes.


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: HOME SAFETY TIPS

 

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:


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

 

October 31, 2013 (San Diego) – Halloween is upon us and safety should be the number one priority for trick-or-treaters, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  Here are some tips for choosing the right costumes:

Costumes purchased should be made of flame retardant material (check the label).  Hemlines should be short enough to prevent tripping. Glow-in-the-dark reflective tape is great for night time costumes.


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: THE HEAT IS ON

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 28, 2013 (San Diego) – The Heat is on and looks like it will be with us for a while!

If you work or play outside, you should know about heat stress safety tips. Heat stress is caused by over exposure to hot climates. You might not think it is possible, but you can suffer from heat related injuries inside as well as outside. Heat stress occurs when your bodies core temperature rises above normal.


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: VACATION SAFETY TIPS - DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM!

 

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!


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: BE A SPORT - PRACTICE SWIMMING POOL 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.


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: CARBON MONOXIDE POISINING

January 26, 2013 (San Diego) – Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, the leading cause of CO is heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel which can be sources of carbon monoxide says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home DiGiovanna recommends. “When one sounds, they all sound!”


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: FIREPLACE SAFETY

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 26, 2013 (San Diego) – It’s been unusually cold and more cold weather is in store this winter. During the cold winter months nothing beats a nice fire in the fireplace. Fires may keep us warm, however, there are hazards that need to be addressed says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning says DiGiovanna. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...Fire Stops With You!


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: HIGH WIND SAFETY TIPS

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 26, 2013 (San Diego) – Wildfires are not the only hazard we have to concern ourselves with during High Winds and Red Flag Warnings.

Safety Tips:

The safest place to during high winds is indoors.

Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.


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WANTED: ATM ROBBERY SUSPECT IN SANTEE AND RANCHO SAN DIEGO

January 24, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Take a good look at these surveillance photos. This man is wanted in connection with three ATM robberies in Santee.

The first incident happened January 16th just before 11:00 p.m. Armed with a gun, he approached a man at a Mission Federal Credit Union ATM on Town Center Parkway and demanded money. The second incident happened on January 21st at the same location. He approached a woman and placed a hand into his waistband simulating he had a weapon. The woman ran to her car and the suspect drove away. The third incident happened on the same day at a Wells Fargo ATM on Jamacha Road in unincorporated El Cajon. He had a gun and approached a man demanding money. He then grabbed the money and drove away.


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HOT TIPS FOR A SAFE THANKSGIVING DAY FEAST

By Bill Weaver

November 21, 2012 (San Diego) – Thanksgiving is almost upon us and family and friends will come together to celebrate. Food safety is very important because large amounts of food are often prepared and served. Here are a few safety tips to prevent microscopic unwanted guests from joining your party:


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U.S. GOVERNMENT ISSUES SURVIVAL TIPS AFTER DISASTER

CPSC, FEMA and USFA Warn About Deadly Dangers After Hurricane Sandy Passes

October 30, 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- For those of our readers with relatives in the path of Hurricane Sandy, here is some potentially life-saving advice from three federal agencies. These tips are also applicable to surviving other disasters, such as wildfires and earthquakes.


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SDG&E ENCOURAGES CUSTOMERS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER HEATING SEASON

October 29, 2012 (San Diego) – With the holidays and cooler weather right around the corner, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is helping customers prepare for the winter season by offering easy tips on how to stay safe and keep warm while also saving money.

“With most home heating systems operated by gas, now is a good time to schedule an appointment to have your heater inspected,” said Caroline Winn, vice president of customer services for SDG&E. “Keeping your furnace and other home gas appliances in good working order is essential to ensure they are running both efficiently and safely.”


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NATIONAL BURN AWARENESS WEEK – FEBRUARY 5 – 11

 
It Doesn’t Take a Fire to Burn a Child

 
February 8, 2012 (San Diego) -- Across California thousands of people are burned every year in fires and countless lives are lost, including young children. During the week of February 5 – 11, 2012, CAL FIRE is teaming up with fire departments across the country to highlight the fire risks and burn injury prevention during the winter months for National Burn Awareness Week. This year fire officials are focusing on the increased risk to children for burn injuries and offer safety tips to keep them protected from burn injuries.

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