Fernandez,

staying in the upper floors untenable or unsafe? What if — such as what happened in the Resorts World a few years ago — terrorists attack the ground floor and set fires where the smoke works its way through the air-conditioning ducts or ventilation? In that case, many occupants were terrified to pass the stairs and go to the ground floor because they believed the terrorists were there and they closeted themselves in the bathrooms and died from smoke inhalation from the fumes caused by the fires set in the ground floor. These are where rope ladders and safety belts could have been useful if they had been pre-positioned in the fire exits. These are expensive, costing about P50,000 to P80,000 per set but considering that they should have been built into the safety standards of buildings are a drop in the bucket.

First aid kits are also another item that should be put as a priority for homes, offices and factories. While the law provides for the provision of first aid kits in offices and factories, no home should be without at least a basic first aid kit. These should be placed where recall of location is easy such as near the kitchen where cuts are a commonplace injury. With the proliferation of studio units and other small-occupancy private residences, dwellers, especially should consider these in their abode. A basic first aid kit will cost about P800 but the more pricey and elaborate ones will cost about P3,000 or more.

Geologists believe that the Philippines, particularly Luzon, will be struck by a massive earthquake that will likely affect the Marikina fault line. It is noteworthy that many high rise condominiums straddle the fault line. It is probably commonsensical for occupants to at least take precautions to mitigate such an event. A Go- Bag is one such useful to- have. It contains pouches for documents, elements of a first aid kit, liquids, food, flashlights, basic communications devices such as FM radios and identification papers. A basic Go- Bag will cost about P2,500 while the more elaborate ones will cost as much as P8,000.

It will also be wise to know where the mass evacuation sites will be located, such as if you live in the Quezon CityDiliman area, the evacuation sites will be in Veterans Hospital, and UP Diliman campus itself. You can check with the MMDA where your respective mass evacuation site is.

The price of safety is never cheap. But then — How much is your life worth?

The author may be reached at armadarescue@gmail.com