Why is March Fire Prevention Month?

MANILA, Philippines – Do you know why March is the Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines?

This dates back to 1966, when then President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 115-A that assigned a particular aspect of safety and accident prevention to each month of the year.

This initiative, according to the proclamation, propagates “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.”

Incidentally, March was also declared the Burn Prevention Month, as per Proclamation 360 of former president Corazon Aquino. This proclamation, signed in 1989, aims “to disseminate knowledge in the field of burn prevention and to enhance education in all phases of burn care”.

March happens to be one of the hottest months in the country. According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), it is around this month when temperature and humidity starts to reach high levels, causing “high sensible temperature” in the country.

The hot dry season in the country usually runs from March to May.

Also, a high record of fire incidents were recorded around this month. Based on data from the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA), March has one of the highest number of fire incidents reported from 2010 to 2013.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), an average of 9 fire incidents nationwide are happening everyday.

Do you know what to do in case of fire? Follow these precautionary measures to lessen the risk to your personal safety. – Rappler.com