March is “Fire Prevention Month” in the Philippines not only because this month almost always has the most number of fire incidents all over the country, but because of Proclamation 115-A promulgated in 1966. The proclamation was issued to promote “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, exercise of common sense and respect for the law.”
Then as now, the above makes sense. Ask anyone and they’d tell you it is better for thieves to ransack their homes than for a fire to raze their abode to the ground. It’s rather unfortunate that “the exercise of common sense” is something that people forget, with reports that most fire incidents in the Philippines are caused by neglected appliances aside from faulty electrical wiring. We’ve heard of people turning on the gas stove to heat up leftover food and then promptly forgetting about it as they get so absorbed in the telenovela they are watching – a recipe for disaster.
Admittedly, most people use electrical equipment to prepare food, cool off and get some respite from the scorching temperature and of course, entertain themselves. If these appliances are abused or neglected, they can overheat and start a fire. Thus, taking safety precautions cannot be overemphasized to prevent fires in homes, offices, and communities.
Solane, a leading solutions company, provides the following steps to prevent fire accidents:
Use electronic appliances wisely
Turn off and unplug electronic devices and fixtures when not in use. Aside from conserving energy, this will also prevent a power surge and overheating of appliances. Also, do not overcrowd electric outlets or extension sockets to protect the wiring against overheating.
Check electrical installations
Have a professional inspect the household electrical wiring regularly for damaged cord and burned wiring. If they find anything that’s faulty, have it replaced with new cords and wiring. Don’t try to be a wiseass (or a skinflint) by trying to repair or replace the damage yourself (especially if you do not have any electrical know-how) just to save a few measly pesos because the consequences would be far more costly.
Dispose of used matchsticks and cigarette butts properly
Whether you are inside the house or outdoors, do not carelessly toss away used matchsticks, cigarettes, and recently used ashtrays without making sure that their glowing embers are completely gone. The rule of thumb is if the item is too hot for you to touch with your finger, it is too hot to be thrown away. Do not smoke or light a match near flammable objects, like gas cylinders, gasoline and paint thinner. Better yet, do not smoke, period. And if there are children and pets around, make sure that the matches, lighters and cigarettes are out of reach.
Keep combustible materials away from sources of fire
Keep the stove a safe distance from fire-catching materials such as mitts, plastic utensils, curtains, and cooking oil. If you need to light a candle (in case of brownouts), use a candleholder or put the candle on a suitable candle base in a place where it is out of reach of children. Make sure to blow off the candle after use and that its wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
Keep an eye on your cooking
The most common reason for home fires is unattended cooking, so when using the stove or other cooking equipment, stay in the kitchen and be alert. If you need to leave for a few minutes, check the pot or pan regularly and use a timer. If you are frying or sautéing, heat the oil slowly to the suitable temperature then add the food gently in the pan so the oil won’t splatter. Make sure the oil is not too hot so it won’t catch fire. If you see wisps of smoke or smell the oil burning, turn the burner off then carefully remove the pan from the burner.
In the event that the cooking oil catches fire, slide the lid over the pan, turn off the burner, and let the pan cool for a long time. Important note: Do not panic and throw water on the burning oil – because the water will only cause the burning oil to splash and spread the grease fire.
Get high quality LPG for safe and reliable burning
If your use LPG for cooking and heating, make sure to get a brand that provides good combustion and rapid heat production. Of course, the LPG should be manufactured according to the highest standards. When requesting a LPG tank refill, ensure that the new tank is not defective.
There’s so much more that can be done to help fireproof your home and keep your neighborhood and community safe from fire accidents. By being proactive and prepared today, you can prevent and stop a costly tragedy not only this March but all year round.
Solane LPG provides safe, clean and reliable burning fuel for home and business needs. It also comes with the exclusive 7-point Safety Check service to ensure the proper handling and storage of the LPG tank. For more information, call the Solane Hatid Bahay Hotline at 887-5555 or 0918-8875555.