VDPS Fire Department Article

Summer Safety: Protecting What Matters Most

As we move into the heart of summer, many residents are spending more time outdoors, enjoying pools, family gatherings, and preparing meals for friends and loved ones. While summer is a wonderful time to enjoy all that The Villages has to offer, it is also a time when we traditionally see an increase in preventable emergencies. Taking a few simple precautions can help keep everyone safe.

Pool Safety: Every Second Counts

Florida leads the nation in accidental drownings, and drowning can happen quickly and silently. Whether you are caring for children, entertaining grandchildren, or simply enjoying your own backyard pool, safety must remain a priority.

Pool Safety Tips for Children

• Never leave a child unattended near water, even for a moment.
• Designate a responsible adult as the “Water Watcher” whose sole responsibility is supervising swimmers.
• Ensure children wear properly fitted life jackets when appropriate.
• Teach children basic swimming and water safety skills as early as possible.
• Install and maintain barriers, self-closing gates, and pool alarms.
• Keep rescue equipment and a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

Pool Safety Tips for Adults

• Avoid swimming alone whenever possible.
• Never swim after consuming alcohol or medications that may impair judgment.
• Be aware of heat-related illnesses and stay hydrated.
• Learn CPR. Immediate bystander intervention can save a life before emergency responders arrive.
• Ensure pool drains and covers are properly maintained to prevent entrapment hazards.

Remember, drowning is often silent. Active supervision is the most effective prevention measure.

Cooking Safety: Preventing Kitchen Fires

The kitchen remains the leading area of the home where fires start. Recently, VPSD has responded to several cooking-related fires, many of which could have been prevented through simple safety practices.

Cooking Safety Reminders

• Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying, grilling, or broiling food.
• Stay in the kitchen while using the stovetop.
• Keep anything that can burn, such as towels, potholders, paper products, and curtains, away from cooking surfaces.
• Turn pot handles inward to prevent accidental spills or contact.
• Keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire occurs, carefully slide the lid over the pan and turn off the heat.
• Never use water on a grease fire. Water can cause the fire to spread rapidly.
• Ensure smoke alarms are installed and functioning properly throughout your home.
• Keep a fire extinguisher readily accessible and know how to use it.

If a fire begins and you are unable to safely extinguish it, evacuate immediately and call 9-1-1.

VPSD Blood Program Update: Bringing Lifesaving Care Directly to the Patient

The Villages Public Safety Department continues to lead the region in advanced prehospital emergency care through our Blood Product Program. VPSD was the first agency in our region to carry blood products on emergency vehicles, allowing paramedics to begin lifesaving transfusions before a patient ever reaches the hospital.

For patients suffering from severe trauma or life-threatening blood loss, time is critical. Medical research has shown that every one-minute delay in receiving blood products increases mortality by approximately 2 percent. When patients are bleeding to death, minutes matter, and often the closest hospital is simply too far away. VPSD brings the blood directly to the patient.

Currently, only 22 EMS agencies in Florida carry blood products, and approximately 3 percent of EMS agencies nationwide operate prehospital blood programs. VPSD is proud to be among those leading this advancement in emergency medicine.

Since the program’s inception, our paramedics have administered lifesaving blood products to 30 patients in the field. Each of these patients received critical care during the moments when it mattered most, helping improve their chances of survival and recovery.

As your public safety department, we remain committed to continually advancing the level of service we provide to our community. Whether through fire prevention education, water safety awareness, or innovative medical programs, our mission remains the same: protecting lives and enhancing the safety of those we serve.

On behalf of the men and women of The Villages Public Safety Department, thank you for allowing us the privilege of serving this amazing community.

Brian Twiss
Fire Chief
The Villages Public Safety Department