BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 14 (PIA) --
"Improper use of electrical gadgets and appliances are among the common
causes of fire".
Provincial Fire Marshal of Negros
Oriental, CINSP William Tacaldo Jr, bared this during a Kapihan sa PIA
held recently in observance of Fire Prevention Month at Bethel Guesthouse,
Dumaguete City.
Improper use of electrical gadgets such
as battery charger, voltage regulator including appliances are among the
causes of fire. "We should not leave these electrical gadgets /appliances
plugged in outlets when not in use because this will overheat and trigger
fire" according to Tacaldo.
Tacaldo underscores proper housekeeping
to prevent the occurence of fire. He also emphasized that
installing grills on windows is a violation of the fire safety code
because this will obstruct passage in case fire originates from inside
the house.
Tacaldo urged especially the parents
not to leave their children alone at home. There should be an adult to
oversee the children to prevent them from playing things such as matches that
can trigger fire.
Open burning is also discourage because
the flying embers can glow very hot and precede a fire in other places.
One of the business establishments in
Dumaguete City, Bethel Guesthouse/Hotel and Cang's Incorporated
owner, Roy Cang cited that most of the fires usually happen in the
residential areas and rarely in the business districts because of their
compliance to the annual fire safety inspection done by the city engineer's
office and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
On the part of the City Engineer's
Office, Engr. Erasto Crispo urged owners of residential houses to
initiate in checking for deficiencies in their electrical wirings and not to
use substandard electrical materials for their safety.
Meanwhile, Dumaguete City Fire Marshal
Arnulfo Sayson reported that for this year the BFP responded to 10 fire
alarms with only one big fire that has an estimated cost damaged of P800,000.
The city BFP continues its fire
prevention drills and advocacy campaign in schools, barangays and requires
hotels and commercial buildings with 50 or more occupants to organize their own
fire brigade.
These fire brigades are
then trained by BFP personnel in firefighting techniques so that they can
immediately respond to fire incidents in their establishments and at the
same time augment the presently undermanned fire personnel of Dumaguete
City, said Fire Marshal Sayson.
Sayson also commended the people
in Dumaguete City and the community for their active involvement in fire
prevention. (mbcn/LPagunsan/PIA7- Negros Oriental)