The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will conduct fire drills in schools throughout this province in observance of Fire Prevention Month.

BFP Antique Provincial Office Fire Safety Enforcement head, Senior Fire Officer Jefferson Cordero, said school children must know about safety tips and how to respond in case of emergencies.

“We need to conduct fire drills so that children would not be trapped in their homes whenever there is a fire incident,” he said in an interview Monday.

Family members should also practice good housekeeping by ensuring their electric stoves and other appliances are properly shut off after use.

“Pans with cooking oil, if not cleaned and left on the stove, could also catch fire,” he said.

Cordero reminded that mobile phone chargers and electric fans, if left unplugged, may also overheat and cause fire.

For the first quarter this year, they already conducted 13 fire drills in schools, mercantile, healthcare centers, hospitals, clinics, businesses and the lone electric cooperative in the province.

The BFP Antique, as of Monday, have received 28 fire distress calls, of which 20 are residential areas.

A caravan in the 18 towns of Antique kicked off the Fire Prevention Month on March 1.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board member Rony Molina, during their regular session on Monday, sponsored a resolution strongly encouraging all government offices, non-government organizations, civic-spirited organizations and schools to commemorate Fire Prevention Month.

To raise awareness, he said they can join fire safety seminars, training sessions and community fire drills. (PNA)