Fire Prevention Month kicks off today as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) sets it sight on Cebu City where more than half of the fire incidents in Central Visayas occured last year.
Of 603 recorded fire incidents, 377 or 65.5 percent were in Cebu City.
Mandaue City ranked second with 51 fires.
Cebu City’s ranking is understandable with its high population and highly rate of urbanization.
The most common cause of fire is electric misuse, usually due to faulty electrical wiring, and unattended open flame like lighted match sticks, candles and embers, according to the BFP.
BFP-7 Regional Director Supt. Abundio Salinas Jr. called on city residents to be more active in fire prevention.
He said fire can be avoided if people follow safety practices such as regular checks of electrical installations.
The year 2013 opened in the region with 86 fires recorded in the first two months alone.
Of this number, 46 or 53.4 percent happened in Cebu City.
Region 7 covers the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor. Cebu City is the regional capital.
Fire department personnel will be joined by volunteers and non-government organizations in a walk “for a fire-free and fire-safe nation.”
The walk starts 4 a.m. from the BFP office in N. Bacalso Street in Cebu City to V. Rama, V. Rodriguez, Osmeña Boulevard and back to the BFP office where a Mass will follow.
The BFP is advocating the integration of fire safety in the basic education curriculum and is working for a formal partnership with the Department of Education on this.