It is important to check your own house and the surrounding area to ensure prevention, and also to check fire safety equipment in the neighborhood so that you will not panic in case of an emergency.
Let’s take a look at some “fire prevention checkpoints” from a booklet issued by the Council for the Promotion of Fire Prevention in Houses and the Japan Fire Protection and Risk Management Association.
1. Do you have garbage and other flammable items around your house? To prevent arson, take out garbage on the morning of the collection day.
2. Do you have ashtrays in your bedroom? Bedtime smoking is one of the top causes of fires. Don’t do it.
3. Do you have electrical appliances wired in a way that they are not connected to each other? Dust in electrical outlets can also cause fires. Keep your home clean and tidy.
4. Do you have fire alarms and extinguishers installed? Read the instructions carefully and install them in the proper locations.
5. Do you keep water in the bathtub for initial fire extinguishing or in case of disaster? Using the water for domestic use is an eco-friendly practice.
6. Have you checked the location of fire extinguishers in your neighborhood? Although this is data from the Tokyo metropolitan area, more than 70% of fires are successfully extinguished when fire extinguishers are used in the initial stages of firefighting.
7. Are there any objects placed around water outlets or fire prevention tanks? They interfere with firefighting activities. Placing objects near emergency exits is also dangerous.
In winter, when the air is dry and strong winds blow, fires are more likely to occur. To protect your precious family and home, be sure to take fire prevention measures.
