Fire Prevention Month kicks-off in Albay
LEGAZPI
CITY Mar 01 - March is one of the hottest months of the year and it marks the
beginning of summer season in the Philippines. It is also the month that has
one of the most alarming fire incidents in the country, based on data by the
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
By
virtue of Proclamation No. 115-A, signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos,
and Proclamation No. 360 in 1986, the month of March was declared as “Fire
Prevention Month” or “Burn Prevention Month.”
The
fire prevention month campaign promotes "safety consciousness among our
people every day of the year as a positive preventive approach to a problem
that can be solved by more caution, vigilance, sobriety, the exercise of common
sense and respect for the law."
The
celebration this year is anchored on the
theme: "Matuto Ka, Sunog, Iwasan Na," which means that people who
have heard about fire incidents or experienced it themselves must learn the
lesson to prevent a similar incident.
Fire prevention month is not a joyful month to be celebrated but rather a month of intensified vigilance, readiness, and awareness campaigns.
Fire prevention month is not a joyful month to be celebrated but rather a month of intensified vigilance, readiness, and awareness campaigns.
To
make sure that your family and house are safe, the BFP recommends these tips to
avoid the occurrence of fire:
1.)
Unplug all electrical equipment when not in use and regularly check electrical
equipment to avoid overloading of electrical circuits.
2.)
When using cooking gas, check for gas leaks and always ensure that the LPG tank
is stored in a well-ventilated area to avoid the accumulation of gas vapors.
3.)
Enforce “No Smoking” policy inside or outside the house and dispose of
cigarette butts properly.
4.)
Practice proper housekeeping and keep flammable materials out of reach of
children. Flammable materials include candles, lighters, and matches, which
should be kept properly and securely.
5.)
Plan ahead--establish an emergency and evacuation plan at home and familiarize
with escape routes. And most importantly, keep flammables away from your
children
6.)
In case of fire, close the door of the burning area to stop the spread of
fire. As smoke rises up, breathe slowly, and get a piece of wet cloth to cover
the nose and mouth to avoid suffocation.
7.)
When trapped in a fire hit area, it is highly recommended to go to a room with
windows leading outdoors.
8.)
If clothes catch fire, do not run or panic, do the: “Stop, Drop, and Roll. “In
this life-threatening situation, shout for help or wave a cloth outside the
window to alert the people around you and keep in mind to remain calm.
9.)
The most important thing to do is to call 911, the nationwide emergency hotline
number, and tell the emergency operator of your location right away.
Fire
incidents are potentially deadly and very dangerous, but by following these
safety precautions from authorities, we can prevent untoward incidents from
happening. Just remember that having the presence of mind in any situation can
also spell the difference between being a victim and being a fire survivor. (NMmdl)
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