BY GEORGE NAVA TRUE II
IT’S SAD but true. Most fires in the Philippines occur in March which is Fire Prevention Month.
Here in Iloilo alone, a fire broke out on the first day of March. It razed a boarding house and quickly spread to another home in Passi City. The blaze caused more than P300000 in damages and was linked to faulty electrical wiring.
News like this is enough to make some people burn up. But there’s a good reason why this happens. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said temperature and humidity levels normally rise in March.
The heat is on
Since it is also one of the hottest months of the year and is the start of summer in the country, most fires occur in March, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The BFP added that fires often break out in clustered communities in both rural and urban areas.
Still, that’s not a good excuse to lose your property and loved ones. Fires and loss of lives can be prevented if you’re careful. Here are some fire prevention tips you should be aware of:
Unplug appliances and electrical equipment like toasters, toaster ovens, and slow cookers that aren’t used. Check them from time to time for damaged wires and don’t overload electrical circuits.
Cook properly and use the right amount of heat. If you have a gas stove, check for gas leaks and keep the LPG tank in a well-ventilated area.
Stay calm and avoid distractions
Don’t be distracted while cooking and never leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended. Keep dish towels, wooden spoons, and other items that can catch fire away from these areas.
Install smoke alarms in your home, especially in bedrooms and sleeping areas. Check them every month to make sure they’re working.
Don’t put candles near curtains or anything that can burn. Blow them out before sleeping.
Don’t smoke indoors or outdoors. If you do, extinguish cigarette butts properly before throwing them away.
Keep matches away from children
Store flammable materials like candles, matches, and lighters in a safe place. Don’t allow kids to play with them.
Plan your escape route. Know where to go in case a fire breaks out. Choose a safe place to meet outside.
Practice a home fire drill with your family at least twice a year to make them familiar with exit points. Teach them how to escape in under two minutes. Often this is all the time you will have to leave the house safely.
Choose someone to get infants and young kids out of the house. Have a back-up person to do this in case the one you assigned is not around or unable to help.
Teach children to follow your escape plan and to stay low if there is smoke while leaving. They should know how to open windows, remove screens, and unlock doors in case of a fire.
Leave at once
If a fire breaks out, leave home immediately. Go to your designated meeting place and stay in a safe location until help arrives. Don’t reenter your home until rescuers say it’s safe to do so.
Stop fire from spreading by closing the door of the burning room. If smoke rises, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth and breathe slowly. This will prevent suffocation.
When trapped, go to a well-ventilated room with windows leading outdoors. Shout for help so people outside will notice you.
Call 911 to inform the operator of your situation and location immediately.
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National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column that has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com./PN
