In Japan, there were 2,033 fire incidents in 2023, including 589 residential fires. The main causes of these fires were arson or suspected arson, cigarettes, bonfires, and cooking stoves.
Let’s take a look at some “fire prevention checkpoints” from a booklet issued by the Council for Promotion of Fire Prevention in Houses and the Japan Fire Protection and Risk Management Promotion Association.
1. Do you have garbage or other flammable items around your house? To prevent arson, take out garbage on the morning of the collection day.
2. Do you have ashtrays in your bedroom? Bedtime smoking is one of the top causes of fires. Don’t do it.
3. Are you using octopus wiring for your electrical appliances? Dust in electrical outlets can also cause fires. Keep your home clean and tidy.
4. Do you have fire alarms and extinguishers installed? Read the instructions carefully and install them in the proper locations. Out of the 10 people who died in the fire, 8 did not have smoke detectors installed.
5. Do you keep water in the bathtub for initial fire extinguishing or in case of disaster? Using the water for daily use is an eco-friendly way to conserve the environment.
6. Have you checked the location of fire extinguishers in your neighborhood? Although this is data from the Tokyo metropolitan area, more than 70% of fires are successfully extinguished when fire extinguishers are used in the initial stages of firefighting.
7. Are there any objects placed around water outlets or fire prevention tanks? They interfere with firefighting activities. Placing objects near emergency exits is also dangerous.
In winter, when the air is dry and strong winds blow, fires are more likely to occur. To protect your precious family and home, be sure to take fire prevention measures.