Fire Prevention Tips

March Fire Prevention Month

Here are 15 fire safety tips brought to us by The Philippine National
Red Cross (PNRC). In order to help us in preventing fire spread.
1. Avoid electrical overloading.
2. Unplug all electrical appliances after every use.
3. Check all electrical installations regularly.
4. Check gas stoves and LPG tanks for leaks.
5. Keep children away from flammable liquids, lighters and matches.
6. Avoid smoking in bed.
7. Ensure you have a pre-fire plan at your residence or office.
8. Do not leave lighted mosquito coils unattended.
9. Always take extra precautions while cooking.
10. Never leave lighted candles unattended.
11. Do not throw lighted cigar or cigarette butts on dried leaves and
garbage.
12. Strictly obey the no smoking signs.
13. Maintain proper housekeeping to eliminate fire hazards.
14. Check fire protection gadgets or devices of appliances and
equipment regularly.
15. Be fire-safety conscious.
Altough the Philippines' observance of Fire Prevention Month this
March would soon come to a close, fire safety will always be an
important home and workplace topic throughout the year. While
death and injury are the greatest risks and the ones with which most
people are familiar, it is important to note that fires also destroy
jobs and other livelihoods.

The Bureau of Fire Protection says that a small fire can grow into a
deadly one within one or two minutes. To help prevent a tragedy,
the BFP asks everyone to closely inspect one's home or workplace to
eliminate potential hazards; likewise, prepare one's home or office
for an emergency, and organize your family and office workers
about the dangers of fire and how to escape in case of one.

Moreover, the BFP encourages the public to put a smoke alarm on
every level of your home or office, outside each sleeping area, and in
every room as much as possible.

Similarly, here are some of the BFP's fire prevention safety tips:

1. Don't play with matches. Place matches, lighters and candles to a
place where they are out of children's reach.
2. Don't play with electrical cords and don't stick anything into an
electrical socket.
3. Don't play around in the kitchen, if you want to cook something,
be sure that appliances use for cooking are securely protected not to
catch fire.
4. Don't put anything over a lamp, things thrown over a lamp (like
blankets or clothing) could catch fire.
5. Always be prepared, make an escape plan, work with your family
members to plan how to get out of your house if there is a fire. -
PIA ARA

Cuts and Puncture Wounds
A cut, also called a laceration, is a break or opening in the skin. The
cut may be deep, smooth, or jagged. It may be near the surface of
the skin, or affect deep tissues, such as tendons, muscles, ligaments,
nerves, blood vessels, or bone.
A puncture is a wound made by a pointed object (such as a nail,
knife, or sharp tooth).
Alternative Names
Wound - cut or puncture; Open wound; Laceration; Puncture wound
First Aid
If the wound is bleeding severely, call 911.
Minor cuts and puncture wounds can be treated at home. Take the
following steps.
FOR MINOR CUTS
Wash your hands with soap or antibacterial cleanser to prevent
infection.
Wash the cut thoroughly with mild soap and water.
Use direct pressure to stop the bleeding.
Apply antibacterial ointment and a clean bandage that will not
stick to the wound.
FOR MINOR PUNCTURES
Wash your hands with soap or antibacterial cleanser to prevent
infection.
Use a stream of water for at least 5 minutes to rinse the
puncture wound, then wash with soap.
Look (but do NOT probe) for objects inside the wound. If found,
DO NOT remove -- go to the Emergency Department. If you
cannot see anything inside the wound, but a piece of the object
that caused the injury is missing, also seek medical attention.
Apply antibacterial ointment and a clean bandage that will not
stick to the wound.

DO NOT
Do NOT assume that a minor wound is clean because you can't
see dirt or debris inside. Wash it.
Do NOT breathe on an open wound.
Do NOT try to clean a major wound, especially after the
bleeding is under control.
Do NOT remove a long or deeply embedded object. Seek
medical attention.
Do NOT probe or pick debris from a wound. Seek medical
attention.
Do NOT push exposed body parts back in. Cover them with
clean material until medical help arrives.

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call 911 if:
The bleeding is severe, spurting, or cannot be stopped (for
example, after 10 minutes of pressure).
There is impaired function or feeling from the cut.
The person is seriously injured.
Call your doctor immediately if:
The wound is large or deep, even if the bleeding is not severe.
You think the wound might benefit from stitches (the cut is
more than a quarter inch deep, on the face, or reaches bone).
The person has been bitten by a human or animal.
A cut or puncture is caused by a fishhook or rusty object.
You step on a nail or other similar object.
An object or debris is embedded -- DO NOT remove it yourself.
The wound shows signs of infection (warmth and redness in the
area, a painful or throbbing sensation, fever, swelling, or pus-
like drainage).
You have not had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years.
If you receive a serious wound, your doctor may order blood
tests to check for bacteria.