Fire Prevention Month: Fire safety is a community effort
Fire safety is the very important reminder that the month of March brings with the observance of Fire Prevention Month that was established by a presidential proclamation in 1966.
March is also the hottest time of the year in the Philippines, the height of summer, which this year also has a strong El Nino weather that has already caused ₱1.2 billion in damages to agriculture. It is what one can call the “perfect storm” – where there will be various situations where fire can start. One situation could be from overheated appliances, especially electric fans running almost all day because of high temperatures that go beyond the ordinary.
This warning came last week from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.: “Most of the fire incidents have been caused by electric fans. Why? Electric fans tend to overheat. Due to the extreme heat, they spark and that is the root cause. So, take good care of your electric fans.”
Abalos followed the warning with the advice that should be heeded by all: Have your electrical connections inspected, and discard old electrical appliances. Fire authorities have said that faulty wiring is one of the top causes of fire. Other causes are unattended lighted candles, lighted cigarette butts, and flammable substances.
During the same forum, Abalos announced that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is preparing to open a hotline for residents in the National Capital Region to request advice and even the inspection of their electrical connections to reduce the risk of fires.
Abalos said the BFP’s step to extend its services in the barangays through its hotline can be a huge push to the goal to lessen fires, noting that most fire cases start from overheated appliances.
With this year’s theme “Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa (You are not alone in efforts to prevent fire),” the BFP is focusing on fire safety in the home and highlights the role of cooperation in ensuring fire-safe communities.
The BFP reported that fire incidents have increased by 24 percent during the period of January to March 8, 2024. There were 3,590 fire incidents during that period which is higher than the 2,887 recorded over the same period in 2023. The fire incidents caused damage to property, which went up to 59.7 percent (to ₱2.3 billion) compared to the ₱1.45 billion in the same quarter of 2023.
BFP Director Louie Puracan said the agency is now training personnel to respond to calls made to the hotline by residents requesting for the inspection of electrical wirings in their homes.
The BFP initiative is laudable as it reaches out to serve the community in a more direct way to strengthen fire prevention measures. Most barangay residents are prevented from seeking professional help to check their electrical connections because they do not know of anyone who does that, except perhaps a neighbor who seems to be more knowledgeable.
In addition to the hotline service which will soon be installed, the BFP is also conducting fire drills in high density areas and forums on fire prevention. These activities are part of BFP’s community relations week which ends today, March 16, with the theme “Bumbero sa Pamayanan; Kasangga Kaibigan (Firefighters in Society: Allies and Friends).”
Fire Prevention Month should also be a time for the community to host a tribute for these faceless firefighters who respond to fire alarms, risking their lives to save others.