We all know the month of March as "graduation month", when most commencement exercises would happen for all school levels. However, the joy and elation of such events eclipse the more important matter March should be popular with. Considered as the hottest month of the year when most fires occur due to elevated temperature, we have since 1966, celebrated March as Fire Prevention Month, as decreed by the late President Marcos via Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A. This proclamation aimed for safety consciousness among the public.
Despite the yearly propaganda and fire safety campaigns launched since then, however, the years 2010-2013 have seen a steady rise in the number of fires recorded in the country.
In an article by S. De Castro and M. Gumela published on the website of the National Statistical Coordination Board on May 9 of last year, I have summarized the 2010-2013 data they have presented as such: - that in those years, a steady rate of 3.8% of fire casualties indicate an alarming upward trend - April, and not March, recorded the highest number of blazes occurring with 5, 355 against March's 4,561. On 2013 alone, an average of 34 fires a day were recorded. - NCR (Metro Manila) topped with P2.8B of property damage - Consequently, NCR is considered the most fire-prone area of the Philippines, registering 3,961 fire incidence, followed by Western Visayas (1,476) and CALABARZON (1,349) - fires most often occurred in residential areas - most fires were accidental in nature - most of the fire incidents nationwide were caused mainly by faulty electrical wiring/connection (29.6 percent), unattended open flame, i.e., neglected cooking/stove, cigarette butt, torch, candle, etc. (25.9 percent), neglected electrical appliances/devices (3.9 percent), among others. - Cigarette butt topped the list among unattended open flame causing fire.
Last year, 2014, there were 1,727 fire incidents recorded on March alone.
We certainly do not want an increase in those numbers, do we? Which is why we should practice fire safety at home and in the workplace every day. Let us be aware of most common fire hazards* such as
-Kitchen fires from unattended cooking, such as frying, broiling, and simmering -Electrical systems that are overloaded, resulting in hot wiring or connections, or failed components -Combustible storage areas with insufficient protection -Combustibles near equipment that generates heat, flame, or sparks -Candles and other open flames -Smoking (Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, etc.) -Equipment that generates heat and utilizes combustible materials -Flammable liquids and aerosols -Flammable solvents (and rags soaked with solvent) placed in enclosed trash cans -Fireplace chimneys not properly or regularly cleaned -Cooking appliances - stoves, ovens -Heating appliances - fireplaces, wood burning stoves, furnaces, boilers, portable heaters -Household appliances - clothes dryers, curling irons, hair dryers, refrigerators, freezers -Chimneys that concentrate creosote -Electrical wiring in poor condition -Leaking Batteries -Personal ignition sources - matches, lighters -Electronic and electrical equipment -Exterior cooking equipment - barbecue
*Fire Safety on Wikipedia
To be aware of these hazards is already half the battle in fire prevention. The heat is on, as they say, and the Holy Week is just the start of a parade of holidays this summer vacation. Let us have our fun by being equally safe and merry, knowing that the slightest mistake can ruin lives and property. Let us teach our children how to handle fire-producing materials safely, and put up contact numbers for fire prevention that they can easily see. We may take note of these emergency hotlines : 117 (DILG Patrol) or the Bureau of Fire Protection: (02) 426-0219, (02) 426-3812, (02)426-0246
Did you know?
The late President Marcos' proclamation designated a safety and accident prevention aspect to be promoted each month:
January - General Orientation
February - Air Transportation
March - Fire Prevention
April - Vacation Hazards
May - Land Transportation
June - Sea Transportation
July - Schools
August - Farms
September - Health & Sanitation
October - Industry & Commerce
November - Homes
December - Holiday Hazards
