December 20, 2007 - Assemblywoman Ma, SF Fire Chief Hayes-White, and a Saint Francis Hospital Physician Speak on the Importance of Fire Safety Over the Holidays

For Immediate Release:
December 20, 2007

Contact: Nick Hardeman
(916) 319-2012

Assemblywoman Ma, SF Fire Chief Hayes-White, and a Saint Francis Hospital Physician Speak on the Importance of Fire Safety Over the Holidays

A tree will be set on fire to display the danger of not taking proper precautions and Assemblywoman Ma will also discuss recent health care reform legislation and its importance for burn victims.

WHAT:	Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, and a Saint Francis Burn Center Physician will be discussing the importance of fire safety during the holidays. Assemblywoman Ma will also discuss the recent landmark health care reform legislation that cleared the State Assembly earlier this week.
WHO:	Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Assembly Majority Whip Joanne Hayes-White, San Francisco Fire Chief Clyde Ikeda, MD, Medical Director of Bothim Medical Burn Center, Saint Francis Hospital
WHEN:	Friday, December 21, 2007 9:30 am
WHERE:	Saint Francis Hospital 900 Hyde Street, San Francisco 94109 The press conference will take place on Hyde at the Outpatient Services entrance.

SAN FRANCISCO—Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes White will team up with Saint Francis Hospital, the location of San Francisco’s only burn center, to discuss the importance of fire safety over the holiday weekend. A Christmas tree will be set on fire and extinguished by San Francisco Firefighters. The display will show the dangers of trees in households when precautions are not taken.

In addition, Assemblywoman Ma will discuss the recent passage of AB 1X1, the landmark health care reform bill that cleared the Assembly earlier this week. She will discuss the importance of this legislation for the uninsured and for hospitals like Saint Francis who treat high cost injuries like burns.

“The passage of this bill brings California one step closer to universal health coverage,” said Assemblywoman Ma. “Many in need of care like some of the burn victims who have been treated at Saint Francis Hospital will no longer have to worry about how to pay the out of reach cost of health care.”

"I can not emphasize strongly enough how important it is to be extra vigilant in taking precautionary measures to prevent fires, especially during the holiday season", said Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White. "Taking a few extra precautionary steps can ensure a safe holiday season."

Over a four-year period in California, there have been over 1800 injuries and deaths related to candle fires, causing over $450 million in damages. More importantly, these types of hazards are avoidable.

Tips for fire safety:

Do not overload extension cords
Turn off holiday lighting before going to bed
Keep the area around any open flame free of combustible materials
Never leave candles unattended
Water trees daily so they don’t dry out.
Recycle your Christmas tree—Call Sunset Scavenger (415) 330-1300
Keep charged fire extinguishers in a centralized location

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