Fire Prevention
Because many of the houses in Japan are made of material that easily burns, you must be very careful to prevent fires. Please be particularly careful about extinguishing items that may cause fire, such as heating equipment, cigarettes, and gas, when you leave your home or go to sleep.
What to Do if a Fire Breaks Out
- Dial 119 for the fire department; alert your neighbors and ask for help in extinguishing the fire.
- If it is possible to extinguish the fire within the first few minutes after it has broken out, you should attempt to do so. If, however, the fire has spread over a wide area or reached as high as the ceiling, you should focus your attention on escaping rather than working to put out the fire.
- If a pan with oil in it catches fire, do not pour water on the flames. Use a fire extinguisher, or cover the flames with a wet bed sheet.
- Since smoke is toxic, cover your mouth with a wet towel and crouch low while making your escape.
Created: March 29, 2010 / Last modified:November 19, 2012
