It’s Easier To Prevent One Than To Extinguish One!
A large percentage of fires, explosions, and other accidents whose consequences are attended to by firefighters are the result of human error, negligence or neglect. Most of such events can be prevented by increasing attention and by taking certain preventive measures. Such action can prevent accidents in households, in workplaces, and carrying out agricultural works. By implementing preventive measures, we prevent accidents, keep assets safe and, ultimately, save human lives.
Preventive fire protection measures are a set of measures and actions that a person must take to avoid a fire, and some of them are:
- Do not store any flammable and explosive materials in unauthorized quantities in the apartment, in the basement, or in the attic.
- Regularly maintain all types of stoves in good working order and properly connect them to the chimneys which must be impermeable to gases and sparks.
- Regular cleaning of the chimney reduces the risk of fire and explosion.
- Keep electrical and gas installations in working order.
- Do not throw hot ashes with the embers and cigarette butts into containers that can be ignited.
- Do not smoke in bed. Do not discard cigarette butts and matches if you have not put them out in advance.
- If you can smell the gas upon your arrival at the apartment, then do not turn on the light or matches, but shut off the gas suply and ventilate the room by opening doors and windows.
- Keep your TV set in a place where ventilation is possible, as it will warm up during use.
- Do not dry the meat in the attic but in specially-built premises-facilities and not close to industrial facilities.
- Do not ignite an open fire in the vicinity of facilities especially during windy weather.
- During garbage burning, the distance from the facility must be 20 meters, and during ignition make sure that you ensure the means for the initial extinction. When finished, put out all embers.
- Stumps of hay, straw, and maize must be at least 15 meters away from the buildings.
- Regularly maintain access to the hydrant in front of your home because you will need it first.
- Do not allow children to play with matches.
- Do not fix the fuses, but instead use new ones, because they are likely to cause fire in the electrical installation.
- Unprotected luminaire and worn out electrical installations on commercial buildings can be the cause of a fire.
- Obtain a dry powder mobile fire extinguisher (S-6) for fires that are just starting.
- Engage at least one member of your household in the fire service so that fire protection and prevention becomes an integral part of your houshold.
Detailed fire prevention guidelines are published on the official website of the Croatian Firefighting Association: http://www.hvz.hr/