All you need to know about fire prevention
March marks the onset of the dry, hot months, the time of the year when high temperatures coincide with a rise in incidents of fire nationwide.
This was the reason why President Ferdinand Marcos declared in 1986 the month of March as Fire Prevention Month by virtue of Proclamations 115-A and 360.
It isn’t surprising that for the next 31 days, fire officials will be at the forefront of information campaigns, reminding the public to be mindful of all possible causes of blazes.
Since there is no guarantee that a fire will never happen in your home, it pays to be prepared and take steps to reduce risks.
One of the common causes of fire, especially in residential areas, is the unattended cooking of food. This is why you should keep an eye on what you are cooking, and do not leave it.
Should a flash fire occur in a pan, carefully slide the cover over the pan to smother the flame. Do not move the pan to the sink or splash water to it, since this will cause the flaming oil to scatter and spread the fire to surrounding areas.
Also make sure there are no flammable items, such as paper or cloth, since these can easily catch a flame.
Electricity malfunctions are also one of the leading causes of fire.
Be sure to hire only a qualified electrician in making any electrical changes to your home. Likewise, be sure to check the electricity regularly and ensure wirings are not obstructed by doors or even under carpets where they may break. Remember to limit the number of plugs in an electrical outlet or power strip to prevent overloading.
Use only bulbs that match the recommended wattage for each lamp or fixture. Make sure to always check every cord and replace those with frayed or bare wires.
Keep matches and lighters away from children’s reach. It is better to keep them in a high place, such as a cabinet, so children cannot reach or open them.
Speaking of lighters, as much as possible, do not smoke inside your home. Not only is it dangerous to your health, but it is also dangerous to those with you at home. If you do smoke inside, make sure to douse your cigarette with water afterwards to ensure it no longer has a flame.
It is best to install smoke alarms on every level of your home, both inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Place them on the ceiling or a high wall, as smoke moves upward and the alarm will detect it at a height.
Make a fire escape plan. Just two minutes inside a burning house and a person may faint due to the smoke they inhaled. It is necessary that you have already stepped out within that period of time.
Since there is no guarantee that a fire will never happen in your home, it pays to be prepared and take steps to reduce risks.
Make sure all doors and windows leading outside are easy to open. Also, define secondary routes such as a window to an adjoining roof or a staircase from the upstairs window.
If you live in a multistory building, use the stairs and never the elevator. It is also better to practice an escape plan with drills.
Also practice how to stop, fall and roll if your clothes are on fire until the fire has already been extinguished.
Test door handles to see if they are hot, since opening them might result in a backdraft, the rapid or explosive burning of superheated gasses in a fire caused when oxygen rapidly enters an oxygen-depleted environment.
Never hide under a bed, inside a closet and even inside the toilet as you may be trapped there, especially when the fire has spread.