EDITORIAL

Observing fire prevention month

The Bureau of Fire Protection is once again asking constituents to observe Fire Prevention Month with the start of summer. In Kalinga alone, based on their 2007 government records, most fire incidents in the province involved grassfire caused by cigarette or kaingin while household fires were caused either by faulty electrical wiring and candles. To prevent fires in homes, here are fire safety measures:

Do not smoke in bed. Crush cigarette butts thoroughly before discarding them. Do not throw lighted cigarettes into waste baskets. Keep lighted candles, oil, gas lamps away from curtain and other objects that easily catch fire and never leave them unattended.

Do not store any flammable substance or any volatile liquid in the kitchen and inside dwelling houses. Keep matches and lighters away from the children’s reach 

Extinguish all lighted charcoal and embers after cooking in the kitchen. Make sure the kitchen is inspected before retiring for the night. Kerosene and gas stoves should be checked for leakage and regularly cleaned.

Check regularly your electrical installations, and have all frayed wiring, damaged sockets, switches and other defective electrical fixtures changed or repaired promptly by a qualified electrician.

Do not overload your electrical circuits by profusely putting extra lights and appliances. Aside from the measures, constituents must also have a planned escape in cases of fire.

Fire can happen anywhere unexpectedly so it is very important that we have a plan in cases like this so families, schools and institutions should have a plan and practice at least twice a year, according to BFP officials.

Providing some pointers in cases of fire, the BFP advises that in the construction of buildings, only approved window gates should be used and padlocks should not be used which could prevent people from escape fire. If there is smoke, escape by staying very low to the ground where air is cooler.

Cover mouth with wet towel or clothes to avoid inhaling smoke.

On one’s way out, one should first feel the door with the back of the hands and if it hot do not open it and close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and always place one hand in contact with the wall to prevent getting lost.

Don’t use elevators in case one is inside a building since this could trap a person. Instead use a staircase.

The BFP advises once a building is on fire, make your escape and never return for anything since the life of a person is still more valuable that any possession left inside a burning building. Be guided by these pointers. It could save you or your loved one’s lives.