The blaze started at the two victims’ house around half past four in the afternoon last December 10 along Oroquieta Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Their mother admittedly claimed that she was not present when the fire broke out and that her kids were trapped inside. The fire volunteer, on the other hand, also succumbed to death due to suffocation the following day after being rushed to a nearby hospital.

December is found to be the most dangerous month for electrical fires. So here are some holiday fire safety trips:

• avoid buying substandard Christmas lights
• unplug appliances (e.g. Christmas lights) when not in use or when going to bed
• unusual smells and sparks are warning signs, shut them off
• never overload extension cords or wall sockets

For more information, check out NFPA Project Holiday.

It has been more than a decade ago when the Philippines also had the same fire incident but with worse death toll of 162. The Ozone Disco Club along Timog Avenue in Quezon City caught  fire shortly after midnight of March 18, 1996 with victims mostly in their youth (high school and college students) during end of school year or graduation celebrations.

Time and time again, history just repeats itself. When will people learn on putting safety first?

A fire truck is also called a fire apparatus, fire engine, or fire appliance. It is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene. A tanker truck, on the other hand, is a specialized fire truck with the primary purpose of transporting large amounts of water to the fire scene for extinguishing operations. It has an on-board pumping system which ideally carries 1,000 gallons of water at the least as prescribed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

How about having a fire truck parked right in your own garage? This is quite easy, just get yourself a working fire extinguisher, the appliance no home should be without.

Fire picks no time and place. It just happens that’s why people from the local fire department were serious in doing their safety inspection in every dormitory or boarding house especially around university belt in the City of Manila when schools were about to open. They stressed on the importance of labelled fire exits and repairs of old structures. But when all else fails, stop fire using the appliance no home should be without.

On All Souls Day, it was very unfortunate for the people of Bacolod City to have lost 14 lives as a fire hit 47 houses at Galo Street, Barangay 19.

The said fire started in the wee hours of the morning when most people were sound asleep. Such victims were supposed to be preparing on visiting their loved ones in the cemetery. Without their sheer knowledge, that they, too, shall be joining the departed.

Life is so precious, that indeed no value can be put into it. Fire can be prevented.

Text messaging has taken a big part of mankind’s way of communication, not to mention mobility.

But ER doctors are now serious in their advocacy of avoiding texting or even talking on the cellphone while doing other physical activities such as driving, walking, bicycling, etc. Most people think that they are multitasking but actually they are subjecting themselves to the danger of accidents. There are even some texting-related deaths being reported.

It is always best to be observe safety first at all times. Like when there is fire, you don’t try to extinguish the fire immediately but you have to make sure that the local fire department has been contacted first. You cannot simply hold a 10-lb fire extinguisher in one hand, while trying to make a call on your other hand. Although there is always the reliable speaker phone which you can use, but still safety lies in your hands. It is just a matter of making that better decision on which to prioritize.

Recently, there are two House Bills and two Senate Bills which have to be certified by the President as priority bills aiming to modernize fire protection in the country. The Bureau has a total manpower of 16,227 and still requires 12,993 more for its mission-critical function of fire suppression.

Also, only 827 out of 1,494 municipalities nationwide have protection capability. Quezon City, for example, has one fireman for every 5,206 population and one firetruck for every 67,091 population. Such disparity in resources shall be addressed once and for all if the Fire Code of the Philippines is to be amended. Or better yet, let us just be fire safe ourselves by learning how to use a fire extinguisher and installing smoke detectors in our own homes.

For this month of May, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) celebrates its decades of leadership in disaster preparedness and relief. Various programs are maintained to address emergency situations, both natural or human-induced disasters, such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, fires and many others.

To participate in this month-long event at a more personal level, one can extend help through donating blood. A Blood Donor Pledge Form can be downloaded which says at the bottom: “You have the most precious gift of all, the ability to save lives!” Again there is no better way to say it, you don’t have to be a doctor or a lifeguard to preserve lives. Definitely there are several means to do it like donating blood as previously suggested and having a fire extinguisher in your home.

So what makes Excelta and PNRC alike?

• they both like color red
• they are both advocates of life
• they both do public service
• they both operate nationwide

2. Plan and Practice to Escape
If fire breaks out in your home, you have to get out fast! With your family, plan two ways out of every room. Fire escape routes must not use elevators, which might take you right to the fire. Choose a meeting place outside where everyone will gather. Once you get out, stay out! At least twice a year, have the whole family practice the escape plan.

3. Smokers Need Watchers
Carelessly discarded cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths. Never smoke in bed or when you are drowsy. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers and put water on cigarette butts before discarding them. Before going to bed or leaving home, check under and around sofa cushions for smoldering cigarettes.

4. Be Careful While Cooking
Never leave cooking unattended. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward so the pots can’t be knocked or pulled over. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner. Never put foil or other metals in a microwave oven.

5. TVs and Stereos Need Space
Keep television set and stereos at least three (3) feet or one (1) meter from anything that can burn.

6. Matches and Lighters are Tools
In the hands of a child, matches or lighters are deadly. Store all matches and lighters up high where kids can’t reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. And teach your children from the start that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for kids. If children find matches or lighters, they should tell a grown-up immediately.

7. Use Electricity Safely
If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed. Don’t overload extension cords or run under rugs. Don’t tamper with the fuse box or use fuses of an improper size.

8. Cool a Burn
If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.

9. Stop, Drop and Roll
Everyone should know this rule: if your clothes catch fire, don’t run! Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands to protect your face and lungs, and roll over and over to smother the flames.

10. Crawl Low Under Smoke
Smoke is dangerous! If you encounter smoke, use an alternate escape route. If you must exit through smoke, the cleanest air will be 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) above the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest fire exit.

To give a little history on factory fires, the largest industrial tragedy known today was the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, USA. This took place almost a century ago in March of 1911 causing death of 148 garment workers.  The fire began in the eighth floor of the ten-story Asch Building caused by either a lit of cigarette or a faulty electrical wiring. A photo shows a horse-drawn fire engine on its way to the factory that can be likened to Excelta’s BRONCO fire extinguisher which also bears a horse on its logo.