Fireproofing your summer

CEBU, Philippines - March is Fire Prevention Month. But this is also the time when most fires happen. Ironic, it seems.

Actually, the order of events occurred in the reverse. It was first noticed that March was the start of a "burning" season. And so the government devised a way to alert the public to the high probability of a fire during this first month of summer, to remind people to be extra careful.

The onset of the hot, dry period makes anything highly combustible. Aside from human tempers getting edgy, anything else can blow up amid the heat. Materials very exposed to the fierce summer sun become brittle and parched, and can easily go aflame in the high ambient temperatures.

Moreover, with today's homes teeming with electrical appliances and equipment, the threat of a fire is all the more compounded. House cooling systems - whether air-conditioners or simple electric fans - are used to the extent of overheating. And amid the great discomfort people are often not too keen on conducting electrical safety checks.

In general, the home's electrical system is just for basic lighting, kitchen equipment, and some comfort and entertainment devices. But as electrical appliances have become more and more affordable, it's easy for people nowadays to bring home a new gadget every now and then. Then the probability of an electrical overload rises. It is hard to detect when electrical wires begin to overheat and their wiring insulation melts since the house wiring is mostly hidden in the walls.

Yet there's a lot that can be done to eliminate or at least minimize the risk of a fire at home. Being watchful of the following telltale signs of possible electrical trouble is a good start.

1. Flickering or dimming lights.

When houselights flicker shortly after being turned on or are noticeably dimmer than usual, there may be something wrong. With dimming lights, however, the problem may be simply caused by accumulated dust and dirt on the bulb's body. Turn off the light and disengage the bulb from its socket, and clean thoroughly using a damp cloth applied with liquid detergent. Let the bulb dry first before installing it back. If the illumination does not get any better, it's time to be wary.

2. Tripping circuit breakers.

Circuit breakers that trip off when you switch on an electrical appliance can be a sign that your house electrical system is having a hard time with the load. This problem should not be taken lightly.

3. Wobbly electrical plugs.

Plugs that don't fit tightly into the outlet can mean loose contact. This can mean, further, that contact points can spark at every slight movement. When left uncorrected, this can cause overheating or an outright fire.

4. Hot electrical outlets.

It's very easy and convenient to attach a multiple or octopus plug to a wall outlet when you want to use several electrical gadgets. Most of the time, the gadgets run okay even when there are several of them operating at the same time. But the combined load can overheat the wire inside the outlet. Likewise, small extension cables plugged with heavy appliances can spark or explode. If the house outlet feels unusually hot, it is likely that there's a problem.

5. Smoke or smell of burning metal or plastic.

Perhaps there is none more common, unmistakable sign of fire than smoke. When you cannot trace the smoke or burning smell to any normal source, be alarmed.

Act quickly at any of these signs. Reach for the main switch and turn it off. Then call in an electrician to check your electrical system. Better yet, in case of a smoke that is suspiciously thick and dark, and in your judgment the possibility of a fire is imminent, call the fire department at once.

It is wise to contract a qualified electrician to check your house electrical system periodically, especially towards or during summer. Do not attempt to repair malfunctioning electrical fixtures or, for that matter, endeavor to wire your house by yourself. Amateur wiring or electrical jobs can be very dangerous. What little cost you might save will not be worth the possible damage or injury when something happens.

As extra precaution, keep highly flammable and volatile substances away from the kitchen or, better yet, away from the house. The cooking gas, whether in liquid or liquefied form, is also another common cause of fire. So be very careful with this, as well.

Likewise, as power failures can frequently occur during summer - probably due in part to the extensive use of cooling systems by industries - emergency lighting like kerosene lamps and candles should not be left unattended or placed near combustible materials.

It's true that some accidents are just bound to happen. But at least if they do, it shall not be because of our carelessness. It is bad enough to be dealing with loss from a fire, much worse when we will have to deal with both the loss and the guilt for it, at the same time. (FREEMAN)