Fire Safety and Prevention

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Article ID 1009578　

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House fires claim the lives of many every year, and about half of those lives are those who are 65 or older. Learning about the leading causes of house fires and how to prevent them is the first step to protecting lives and property from potentially deadly fires.

Cause 1: Heating Appliances

When combustible items (blankets, clothes, curtains, etc) come in direct contact with household heating appliances, it can lead to house fires.

Photo of a Home fires caused by heating equipment

Safety Tips

  • Do not place combustible items near heating appliances and be sure to use flame-resistant clothing and bedding
  • Always turn off the heater before you go to bed
  • Do not dry clothes by hanging them near or above a heater
  • If using a kersone heater, only refill the tank after turning off the heater

Cause 2: Smoking

Cigarettes can smolder for hours before causing a fire; always dispose of your cigarettes properly.

Photo of a Fires caused by smoking

Safety Tips

  • Douse cigarette butts in water before throwing them away
  • Do not let cigarette butts pile up in your ashtray
  • Never smoke in bed

Cause 3: Faulty Wiring (Etc)

Electrical fires are often caused by sparks or heat generated by faulty electrical equipment or systems.

Photo of a Electrical fires caused by faulty wiring

Safety Tips

  • Safely clean your outlets and plugs regularly
  • Do not place objects on top of electrical cords
  • Never pull a plug out by the cord
  • Do not plug too many cords into a single outlet

Cause 4: Cooking Stoves

Always use caution when using cooking stoves, especially when using large amount of oil (for frying, etc); when cooking oil reaches about 350C, it becomes capable of spontaneous combustion (catching fire by itself).

Photo of a Fires caused by cooking stoves

Safety Tips

  • Even if you're only leaving the kitchen for a short time, always turn off the stove
  • Keep the area around the stove free from combustible items (towels, etc)
  • Read and follow the safety instructions for your stove
  • Wear flame-resistant clothes while cooking

Inquiries regarding this page

Fire Prevention Section, Fire Prevention Division, Fire Prevention Department, Fire Services Bureau
Tel: 082-546-3476 / Fax: 082-249-1160
Mail: [email protected]