Shellane gives tips for a fire-safe home
MANILA, Philippines—Make sure your home is safe from fire this summer and at any time of the year.
This message was relayed to all mothers and homemakers during a “safety event” by Shellane and the Bureau of Fire Protection recently in Makati City.
Ramon del Rosario, general manager for Shell Gas (LPG) Philippines Inc., said the event sought to provide mothers and homemakers with knowledge of safe use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and “so that they know how to respond to fire incidents.”
Celebrity mother Christine Jacob-Sandejas advised fellow mothers to “give the best when it comes to their children,” which was why it was important to know how to safely use LPG.
Shellane and BFP shared the following tips:
•Do not store LPG cylinder in the kitchen without proper ventilation. In case of LPG leaks, open windows, doors and other openings to increase the ventilation of the room.
•Store LPG cylinder away from electrical wirings and other sources of fire and ignition. LPG tanks should not be placed near electrical circuits as this might cause sparks and fire in times of leaks.
•LPG tanks should be kept upright and never inverted or laid horizontally.
•Use LPG resistant rubber housing to prevent leaks. Do not use tools in operating LPG tanks.
•Never subject LPG tanks to direct heat as pressure inside the cylinder could build up.
“As a mom, I make sure that my family is safe at all times. My children and I love to spend time in the kitchen to bond over cooking and baking sessions. With Shellane, I’m confident that my family is safe in the kitchen,” Sandejas said.
Anna Barrias, Shellane brand and communications manager, said that it was better for the public to trust legal LPG manufacturers and advised them against buying LPG in cylinders that appear damaged or corroded.
She disclosed that 30 percent of branded cylinders sold in “sari-sari” (variety) stores were illegally repaired. Others, she said, refilled branded cylinders illegally and these cylinders do not undergo requalification.
“You save 50 pesos but can you sleep better at night?” Barrias said.
She urged the public to buy LPG only from authorized dealers of known brands to ensure their safety. She said people should always check for safety features like Shellane’s safety cap, check the appearance, requalification date, and weight of the cylinder, which should be 11 kg.
According to Makati fire chief Gerry Berte, fire incidents have evolved through the years and their causes have become varied with the various kinds of fuel available.
Berte said that prevention should always come first, adding that people should be made aware of safety measures when handling LPG at home.
The problem in most homes today, Berte said, was that there were no secondary exits and most windows were blocked with grills. Homes should always have secondary exits in case of emergency, the fire chief said, reminding the public never to run toward the bathroom in cases of fire.
“Bathrooms are enclosed,” said Berte, and the person will likely be trapped inside. He advised the public to head toward an area with windows and to focus on getting out of the burning structure.
“Fire doubles every 30 seconds, dapat magreact ng mabilis (one has to react quickly),” Berte stated. He added that it was important for families to be able “to respond to LPG-related accidents with confidence, backed up with the right knowledge.”
“In Shellane, we feel responsible in making sure that our customers are safe whenever they use our product,” Del Rosario said.
