| Fire is the most important and dangerous element | | | | emergencies. People should learn the basics when |
| in nature. Man was able to use it to his advantage | | | | under such urgent situations. They should know |
| several millennia ago. Fire cooks food, keeps our | | | | emergency hotlines to call. Moreover, it is not |
| houses warm in winter, and produces light during | | | | enough to have fire safety gears and equipment. |
| dark moonless nights. Nonetheless, it does not | | | | People should know how to use them. They |
| only burn things; it destroys houses, properties | | | | would render useless to people who do not know |
| and lives. It has been reported that 85% of | | | | how to use them when the situation arises. |
| deaths resulting from fire accidents occur in | | | | On the other hand, house fires are often caused |
| homes. Hence, it is only proper that fire | | | | by incorrectly placed and defective kitchen stoves |
| prevention efforts be in order. It is imperative | | | | and faulty electrical wiring. Hence, better have |
| that all institutions and establishments should have | | | | your stoves, gas range, and LPG tanks checked |
| fire fighting equipment ready in case of | | | | for leaks. Also having curtains and flammable |
| unfortunate accidents. | | | | materials near sources of flame is not appropriate. |
| Fire is a hazard. At any given time, it can | | | | Note further that approximately fifteen percent |
| endanger human life and ruin property. In most | | | | of house fire accidents occur as a result of lit |
| instances, such unfortunate incidents occur as a | | | | cigarette sticks improperly disposed of. Smokers |
| result of negligence and even though authorities | | | | should, therefore, watch where they throw their |
| have spent so much effort educating people and | | | | cigarette. Children should be taught about the |
| informing everyone about prevention, we still see | | | | dangers of playing with matches and lighters. |
| burned down houses, apartments, and buildings. | | | | Candles should never be left lit. Appliances should |
| The first thing people should do is educate | | | | be unplugged when everyone leaves home. Also |
| themselves about how fire is generated and the | | | | regularly check wirings for worn out insulation. |
| elements that keep it alive. The classic knowledge | | | | Furthermore, flammable liquids should be stored |
| says fire is produced when there is enough heat, | | | | outdoors and must be kept in tightly closed |
| fuel and oxygen. The appropriate combination of | | | | containers. These reminders are but basic. |
| these three factors would produce fire. Elimination | | | | Fires do not just happen inland. Several maritime |
| of any of these factors would, therefore, | | | | fire incidents are reported annually. Such accidents |
| extinguish flames. But in case of large fires, | | | | happen due to overheated machinery, electrical |
| extinguishing of fire is not easy. This could start | | | | problems unchecked and internal explosions |
| anywhere - in the kitchen, in chemical laboratories, | | | | caused by various factors. Such fires may |
| in factories, in production areas, and anywhere | | | | destroy the entire ship. This is why all ships have |
| else. Then it spreads radically to any direction and | | | | and should have advanced marine fire fighting |
| could kill and injure people and render everything | | | | equipment. But in most cases fire is preventable |
| to ashes. | | | | with proper information, measures, strategies and |
| In many countries, the installation of industrial fire | | | | equipment. The crew should undergo fire drills. It is |
| fighting equipment in establishments is imperative. | | | | quite important to study ship structure and |
| All buildings and institutions are also subject to | | | | operations to pin down weak and hazard spots so |
| engineering and structural inspections to ensure | | | | as to deal about them more effectively and |
| fire safety mechanisms. Fire drills are also regularly | | | | prevent future accidents. As earlier implied a large |
| taught to employees of many offices and to | | | | percentage of uncontrolled fire is due to human |
| students of many schools and institutions. Such | | | | negligence. When the basic tasks are left undone, |
| drills are important to train everyone in case of | | | | grim events happen in just a blink of an eye. |