MARCH IS FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

March is Fire Prevention Month According to Chistian Aguilar march is being observed
as fire prevention month here in the Philippines.

A perfect time to discuss and raise awareness about the cause, hazards, and dangers fire.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 115-A, signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, and
Proclamation No. 360 in 1986, the month of March was declared as “Fire Prevention Month” or
“Burn Prevention Month.”

The fire prevention month campaign, according to the measure, promotes “safety
consciousness among our people every day of the year as a positive preventive approach to a
problem that can be solved by more caution, vigilance, sobriety, exercise of common sense and
respect for the law."

State weather bureau PAGASA said the temperature and humidity in March start to reach
higher levels, with the hot, dry weather causing a rise in reported fire cases around the country.

March is one of the hottest months of the year and it marks the beginning of summer
season in the Philippines. It is also the month that has one of the most alarming fire incidents in
the country, based on data by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Due to high sensible temperature, every area across the country is fire-prone, especially
the clustered communities in both rural and urban areas.

In 2018, the BFP has recorded a total of 14, 316 fire incidents from January 1 to
December 27. Fires are destructive and it can break out anytime and anywhere. It can result to
devastating situations such as death and it can burn down entire properties within minutes.

As we observe this advocacy campaign, we should exercise vigilance and be more aware
and knowledgeable about fire prevention to keep ourselves and our family safe.

To make sure that your family and house are safe, the BFP recommends these tips to
avoid the occurrence of fire:

1.)  Unplug all electrical equipment when not in use and regularly check electrical equipment to
avoid overloading of electrical circuits.

2.)  When using cooking gas, check for gas leaks and always ensure that the LPG tank is stored
in a well-ventilated area to avoid the accumulation of gas vapors.

3.)  Enforce “No Smoking” policy inside or outside the house and dispose of cigarette butts
properly.
 4.)  Practice proper housekeeping and keep flammable materials out of reach of children.
Flammable materials include candles, lighters, and matches, which should be kept properly and
securely.

5.)  Plan ahead--establish an emergency and evacuation plan at home and familiarize with escape
routes. And most importantly, keep flammables away from your children

6.)   In case of fire, close the door of the burning area to stop the spread of fire. As smoke rises
up, breathe slowly, and get a piece of wet cloth to cover the nose and mouth to avoid suffocation.

7.)  When trapped in a fire hit area, it is highly recommended to go to a room with windows
leading outdoors.

8.)  If clothes catch fire, do not run or panic, do the: “Stop, Drop, and Roll. “In this life-
threatening situation, shout for help or wave a cloth outside the window to alert the people
around you and keep in mind to remain calm.

9.)  The most important thing to do is to call 911, the nationwide emergency hotline number, and
tell the emergency operator of your location right away.

Fire incidents are potentially deadly and very dangerous, but by following these safety
precautions from authorities, we can prevent untoward incidents from happening. Just remember
that having the presence of mind in any situation can also spell the difference between being a
victim and being a fire survivor.

In line with educating the public on fire prevention, the BFP also encourages everyone to get
involved and actively participate in fire drills conducted by barangays, schools, place of
employment, and local government units. Fire drills are essential and allows everyone the chance
to rehearse proper evacuation procedures. These also train participants to behave rationally
amidst the crisis. Keep safe. (CA/PIA-Infocomm)
MELODY C.MANTE

11-STEM-AVENEDO

FIVE EXAMPLES OF TYPHOONS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS

Typhoons

Typhoon AURING

DESCRIPTION

Typhoon Auring on January 17, 2017 both PAGASA and the JMA reported that tropical
airing developed abour 400km (250 mi) to northeast of Davao City of Mindanao, Philippines.

DAMAGE

Flooding from Auring killed a total of 11 people. Damages from tropical depression
Auring totalled at 7.14 million pesos from agriculture and fishing negros occidental.

Typhoon ISANG
DESCRIPTION

Typhoon Isang is the costliest tropical cyclone in Northwest Pacific in 2017. Isang has
maximum sustained winds of 80kph near the center and gustiness of up to 97 kph.

DATE: AUGUST 22, 2017

DAMAGE

Typhoon Isang damages with a total of $14.3 billion (2017 USD)

Typhoon OMPONG

DESCRIPTION

In September 2018, typhoon Ompong made landfall in the municipality of baggao,

Cagayan province with a peak intensity of more than 200 km/h.
DAMAGE

Typhoon Ompong caused over a million people displaced, damages to infrastructure and
agricultural crops , thousand of houses destroyed and landslide in the highlands.

Typhoon ROSITA

DESCRIPTION

Typhoon Rosita made a landfall in October 2018 in the municipality of Dinapigue,

isabela province, just a few hundred kilometres souh of typhoon Ompong path, with 150 km/h
maximum, hampering the response and recovery efforts in the region.

DAMAGE
 These two typhoons affected 1,098 barangays within 100 kilometres radius along path of
both typhoons that resulted in repeated displacements in six provinces.

Typhoon KAMMURI (tisoy)

DESCRIPTION

Typhoon kammuri known in the Philippines as typhoon Tisoy, it was aa powerful

typhoon which impacted the Philippines in early December 2019.

DAMAGE
Typhoon Kammuri damage 116 million USD (2019 USD). Typhoon kammuri swept through
the Philippines ripping rooftops from houses, knocking down power lines and leaving a half-
million people huddled in evacuation centers, waiting for the storm to pass, at least 17 people
were killed.