A recent report by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) caused alarm among the general public – fire incidents jumped by almost 13% compared to the same period last year, mostly caused by faulty electrical wiring. As March brings in the annual Fire Prevention Awareness campaign spearheaded by the BFP, the private sector amplifies government efforts by eliminating causes of tragic accidents from the source.

Solane LPG, the country’s leading LPG brand, has led 9 raids so far in different areas of the country from the beginning of the year to fight against dangerous, substandard, and illegal LPGs that may cause fires and explosions in unsuspecting households.

To date, 124 counterfeit Solane tanks, along with marked money, transaction receipts, fake plastic seals and other items, have been confiscated in Metro Manila, Camarines Norte, Cagayan, Sorsogon and Quirino.

BFP constantly reminds consumers to buy authentic LPG tanks from authorized dealers to prevent explosions and fire-related incidents. While this may be tricky for some, Solane has made it easy for the public to be sure that their purchase is verified Solane with three simple markers: the weight, the markings and the valve of its tanks.

Authentic filled LPG tanks’ weight corresponds to the total of its indicated tare weight and LPG content. To ensure such, Solane performs the ‘Timbang Challenge.’ Solane also ensures quality markings on its tanks, including the registered brand name and trademark of manufacturer, standard used and test dates, serial or code number, ‘Made in the Philippines’ mark, tare weight and LPG content, and expiry date. Lastly, genuine Solane LPG tanks come with a safety cap and seal with a serial number for verification

Since January of this year, there have already been numerous LPG-related fire incidents reported in different parts of the country, from Metro Manila and surrounding cities to provincial areas of Cebu and Bacolod. Whether commercial or residential space, life and property will always be at risk if products used are not properly checked or difficult to use.

“At Solane, fire prevention is a quality we uphold every single day, not just in March,” emphasized Valeri Villano, Marketing Manager. “There’s a lot of work that go into our tanks and into our products because we value the trust that customers place in our brand. They welcome us into their homes, and they are sure that we keep their homes, their businesses, and everyone safe at all times.

“The danger happens when customers choose the wrong product.”

Moreover, Solane’s AS valve (de salpak) so has a snap-on auto shutoff feature that brings human error down to a minimum.

“With everything that our customers have to deal with on a daily basis, we’ve made sure that our Solane tanks are always safe to use so it doesn’t have to add to the stress they experience everyday,” said Villano. “So much has changed in the past two years, including who goes into the kitchen and how often people use the kitchen. It’s our job to make sure that Solane remains easy to use any time of the day.”

The damage of getting your house razed by fire is insurmountable; fires at home can break out anytime and anywhere and can damage livelihood, household appliances and more. In 2018, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded a total of 14,316 incidents of fire from January until December.

This is why every March is Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines, and BFP’s campaign for this month is 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.” It is a campaign that focuses on exercising vigilance at home and keeping oneself knowledgeable on the best way to protect your home and family from destruction brought about by fire.

“Cebuana Lhuillier has always committed to be of help to the Filipinos at all times, and our call for Fire Prevention is a reflection of that, our insurance products that aims to keep our clients protected at all times is a complementary effort to our advocacy for this month.” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

PJ Lhuillier’s insurance arm, the Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc (CLIB), has also expressed its support for BFP’s campaign through the years. It has been a staunch advocate of having Filipinos insured, posting almost a 35% contribution to the total number of insured Filipinos through microinsurance. CLIB has also worked together closely with the Insurance Commission in promoting microinsurance in the country, they have settled over more than 5,300 million claims worth over Php 500 million they have serviced over 16,500 claimants. Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’, Inc. is also the first and only ISO-certified insurance broker in the Philippines.

Also launched this month in conjunction with the celebration of the Fire Prevention Month is a promo dubbed “Panalo ka sa ProtectMax” where clients of the ProtectMax product of CLIB get a chance to win Php 25,000. The promo is open to all clients who will purchase 5 ProtectMax COCs; these 5 COCs are equal to e-raffle entry. For the promo, 20 lucky raffle winners will be selected and will win Php 25,000.

“This Fire Prevention month, it is very important to drumbeat awareness on fire safety and prevention, and the importance of being protected. CLIB believes that an information and education drive is very important to ensure that everyone is well-informed against conflagration.” said Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’ Inc., Jonathan Batangan. For clients who are interested to keep themselves protected without having to go to Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches, they may purchase Home Insurance via the ProtectNow app or website, just log on to protectnow.com to see CLIB’s full range of products online.

They’ve also mounted the #SunogFreeWorryFree: ProtectMax Kontra Sunog webinar which aims to highlight the importance of being ready for untoward situations especially fire, and the importance of having protection whenever there are threats of conflagration.

 

It's already rainy season, and I remember a few years ago that even though it is raining hard where heaven is pouring its guts out, there are still some instances that accidents happened. Yes, a fire accident does happen and somehow left several families homeless. Some people would say that it is better to be rob than be in a fire accident. Well, it is actually true.

Some would say that it's because of faulty wiring, and others would blame some kids playing with fire. It can also because of scented candles left behind near the curtains. Yes, these are possible things that can be the cause of the fire, but sometimes it is just because of those simple drippings that led to some open wiring in the ceiling, where the electrical system is, that would spark and then boom, it already started the fire.

So, what can you at least do to make sure that you won't catch any fire at your house? Well, I can share a few personal tips that you can do to check your home at least safe from a fire accident. In other words, a precaution.

1. Always check your ceiling from any drippings. Sometimes it is unnoticeable, but once you saw any stain or changes of color on your ceiling that's a sign already that your roof has leaks.
2. Always remove dry leaves on your roof. It often causes rusting or corrosion that eventually will lead to leaks.
3. Always seek help from your friendly electricians to check on the wiring of your house. It's better to ask for professional help when it comes to electrical wiring.
4. When you have wire extension cords, always check for any openings to avoid electrocution and of fire.
5. Always put plugs and cable away from the little kids. Sometimes they would get curious about these things that can lead to accidents.

These are just personal tips that I think would help. But there are companies where you can place your entire home insured. So even when that incident happens, you'll know that you still have something to look forward to. Even though you wouldn't be able to save the memories created, at least you'll be having new ones because your property is insured.

There are plenty of companies that offer a fire insurance policy for your house, but there are also plenty of bogus companies laying down the same terms. Sometimes, instead of spending less, you end up having more expenses because of unnecessary equipment.

Before jumping to signing papers for your insurance always check and ask around if the companies offering you the terms are legit fire insurance companies in the Philippines. It's not bad to do your investigation since it is for your own good and your family's protection. You don't want to end up with some bogus companies. You can ask your close friends or relatives if they have some to recommend that provides the terms that you're looking for an insurance company. I'm sure they will not give you the name of a firm they haven't tried or tested by their friends.