Aside from being the official start of summer, March is also being hailed as the Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines. Essentially, this means that the Filipino public are receiving extreme warnings regarding the fire safety of their houses and homes. Now, these notices would also apply towards the condos for sale in BGC and their eventual owners.
Condominium owners and residents are being advised to take extra care of their units during this month, when fire incidents are frequent and rampant. Make your condo less susceptible to fire by following these guidelines:
Check Your Electrical Wires
Statistics show that faulty electrical connection or wiring is the number one reason why fire incidents occur in Filipino homes. This is why you must be adept in checking all the electrical wires in and around your condo unit. Be wary of warning signs, which usually include a burning smell whenever you plug an appliance to a socket, switch sparking, and flickering lights.
Once you notice these warning signs in your unit, immediately locate and replace the defective fixtures or wirings. This is so you could avoid future problems such as a fire incident.
Electrical Overloading Should Be Avoided
Today, most homes are using extension cords. Homeowners are doing this to use several appliances all at once. However, this practice should at least be minimized if not avoided at all costs, for it can very much cause your sockets to overheat, which may eventually start a fire.
To avoid encountering these issues, designate a specific and separate outlet for your large appliances (e.g. air conditioners and refrigerators). Try to also unplug all of them, including small gadgets, when they are not being used.
Don’t Neglect What You’re Cooking
The third leading cause to house fires is a neglected stove. Unattended cooking is a no-no on whatever month it is, for it runs the risk of a fire incident happening in your condo unit. This is why it is highly recommended for people to use a timer whenever they are cooking or baking. It is also suggested for them to ask someone else to watch the stove/oven when they leave a room to do something else or to turn the stove off altogether.
Inspect Your LPG Tank
Inspecting your LPG tank is instrumental in ensuring your condo unit is less susceptible to fire. Be sure that you’re getting it from a proper manufacturer and check whether it has a security seal and a safety cap on. It will also do you good to remember that you must install the correct hose, which you need to replace every 2 years, and a regulator, which you have to change every 5 years, securely attached to the cylinder valve.
Fire Extinguisher and Smoke Alarms
Last but not the least, you must have a fire extinguisher ready in your home; preferably, in your kitchen, where fire incidents usually start. If you have yet to purchase one, go buy a Class A:B:C fire extinguisher since it can cover ordinary combustibles (e.g. wood and paper), flammable liquids (e.g. oil and grease), as well as electrical appliances.
Installing smoke alarms in your unit is also important. This is because fire incidents may occur at night, when you and your family are sleeping. This device would wake you up once it senses smoke from your house. It will, then, lead you to safety as it will provide you time to escape from your building and even contact authorities to prevent the fire from spreading.
Keep all these tips in mind to ensure your family’s safety during fire emergencies. Remember to follow them even if it is no longer March. After all, these incidents can happen unexpectedly.
Furthermore, don’t forget to create a fire escape plan so you know what to do during these situations and take note of all the contact numbers of the fire or emergency department in your area!