Some surefire tips

MANILA, Philippines – Fire disasters strike without warning. Each year, Filipinos suffer lost lives, property, and business opportunities as a result. 

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Intelligence and Investigation Division, a total of 7,726 fire incidents were reported in 2008. This is equivalent to P3.93 billion in total damage cost.

While disasters can be viewed as unexpected occurrences, leaving everything to chance is very dangerous. Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility. There should always be a conscious effort to prevent it from taking place.  

Thankfully, there are persons and organizations that work to change the careless and unworried attitudes of Filipinos towards disasters. Established in 1965, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Fire Prevention and Civic Welfare Association, Inc. (FED-FIRE) is committed to fight fires and spread fire prevention awareness.

Here are some fire safety tips.

• Keep fire extinguishers handy and exits clear. Fireproof your homes and offices by keeping fire extinguishers in easily accessible areas. Choose a portable or multi-purpose extinguisher that will fit the size of your space. Keep exits and aisles free and unblocked for quick escape. 

• Buy only labeled and tested electrical appliances. Faulty wiring and unreliable appliances are a common source of fire. Be sure to check labels and guarantees before purchasing electrical appliances. 

• Keep numbers of the fire department on your phone. Keep this handy and visible. You can even store this in your cellular phone. Call the fire department immediately in case of fire (FED-FIRE hotlines: 242-2345 and 242-2390).

• Keep all sources of fire away from the reach of children. 

• Use reliable brands of matches and lighters. Not all disposable lighters sold on the market are safe. One lighter brand guaranteed safe by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) is Cricket lighter. Each genuine Cricket lighter has the BPS mark or seal which is a guarantee for safety and quality.