A Brief Discussion on Fire Safety Basics: Master Fire Safety, Cherish Life
Release Date:
2026-03-02
Fire safety is of paramount importance—more so than Mount Tai. “Xiao” means to eliminate, and “fang” means to prevent; together, they constitute fire prevention and control, an essential undertaking aimed at eliminating fire hazards and preventing fires from occurring. The principle of “eliminate first, then prevent” underscores the need to first remove all potential causes of fire, with prevention following as the subsequent set of preparatory measures designed to avert fires. Fires are fiercer than tigers, and their destructive power speaks for itself. A moment’s carelessness can turn a mere hazard into a full-blown disaster, which is why each of us must take fire safety extremely seriously. Unlike natural disasters such as earthquakes, which are beyond human control, most fires are caused by human error, carelessness, or negligence in duty—many of them are entirely preventable.
Fire safety is of paramount importance. “Xiao” means elimination, while “fang” means prevention. When the two are combined, they form “fire safety”—a critical undertaking aimed at eliminating fire hazards and preventing fires from occurring. The principle of “eliminate first, then prevent” underscores the need to first remove all potential causes of fire, followed by the preparatory measures designed to avert such incidents.
Fires are fiercer than tigers, and their destructive power goes without saying. A moment of carelessness can turn a hazard into a catastrophe, so each of us must take them extremely seriously. Unlike natural disasters such as earthquakes, which are beyond our control, fires are often the result of human error—carelessness or negligence in work—and many can be prevented, even avoided altogether. I remember once, when I was a child, using gasoline to light a fire for cooking. As the gasoline was still about a meter away from the spark, it suddenly burst into flames, shooting up two meters high. It felt as though a huge ball of fire were rushing straight at me. At the time, I had only poured a single capful of oil from a five-kilogram plastic drum into the fire, but I was so frightened that I immediately tossed the cap aside. The cap landed on the ground and ignited a large patch of flame. Fortunately, there were no flammable materials nearby and the amount of oil was small, so a tragedy was averted. Not long after that, for the same reason, a house in our village ended up being burned down—both my own home and the neighboring house. Therefore, it is crucial to keep flammable and explosive materials under strict control.
In daily life, fires are often caused by fire-starting tools, oil, electricity, and gas; properly managing these hazards can significantly reduce the likelihood of a fire. Households with children should pay particular attention: when children are home alone, they should be kept away from these items as much as possible. At workplaces, there are dedicated fire safety personnel—no further explanation is needed. In our own homes, we typically have most of these items, so it’s essential that we exercise strict vigilance over them. For example, gas lighters and matches should never be left in direct sunlight; flammable and explosive substances such as phosphorus and gasoline must be stored separately in a cool, dark, and dry environment, well away from open flames and people. Third, inspect the home’s electrical wiring and appliances. If any components are aged, short-circuited, or frayed, they should be replaced promptly. Regularly check outlets for looseness and ensure the insulation on electrical cords remains intact. When charging appliances, always stay nearby and unplug them immediately once charging is complete. Never allow water to come into contact with operating appliances or outlets, and make sure there are no leaks in the home. Fourth, after using up the household gas or liquefied petroleum gas, be sure to shut off the supply valve to prevent gas leaks. Fifth, if you own a car, do not store flammable or explosive items inside—such as lighters or hydrogen balloons that children might play with—especially during hot summer weather. The above measures focus primarily on prevention. Now let’s discuss what to do in the event of a fire.
In the event of a fire, remain calm and composed, make a sound judgment, and act decisively. Early-stage flames are easy to extinguish; if a fire extinguisher is available, use it without hesitation. Fire extinguishers come in two types: carbon dioxide and dry powder. Each extinguisher is equipped with a pressure gauge; when the pointer is in the green zone, the extinguisher is in good working order, but if it points to the red zone, the extinguisher has expired and should no longer be used. The proper method for using a fire extinguisher is simple: lift, pull the pin, aim, and spray. First, lift the extinguisher. Second, pull out the safety pin. Third, hold the handle with one hand and grasp the nozzle with the other, stand upwind, about 2 to 3 meters from the fire, and press down on the handle. Fourth, aim directly at the base of the flames. Before use, invert the extinguisher 2 to 3 times.
Key considerations for extinguishing initial fires: First, when oil or gas catches fire, the best approach is to smother the flames with a cover—such as a pot lid or a cloth—to cut off their contact with atmospheric oxygen. Under no circumstances should water be used on flowing oil, as this will only increase the area over which the fire spreads. Second, if electrical wiring ignites, the power supply must be disconnected first. Third, when a car engine catches fire, open the hood just a crack and insert the nozzle of a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze. Opening the hood fully all at once would dramatically increase the surface area exposed to atmospheric oxygen, triggering a flashover and accelerating the fire’s spread. On March 30, the forest fire in Liangshan, Sichuan, was caused by a sudden gust of wind that triggered a flashover, rapidly depleting the surrounding oxygen and leading to asphyxiation and loss of mobility, ultimately claiming the lives of 30 young people.
When the fire has already spread and cannot be extinguished by an individual, evacuate immediately and dial 119. When making the call, clearly state the exact location, the materials that are burning, and whether anyone is trapped. Next, let’s discuss escape and self-rescue. If a fire breaks out in a building, it is usually accompanied by thick, billowing smoke that obscures vision, makes breathing difficult, and can even lead to suffocation. If conditions permit, * it is best to cover your mouth and nose with a wet towel, crouch low as you evacuate through the emergency exit, and keep to the right side of the stairwell. Under no circumstances should you use the elevator. If your clothes catch fire, do not run—roll on the ground to smother the flames. If all exits are blocked by the fire, those on lower floors should try to escape through the window using available tools such as bed sheets or ropes; those on higher floors must continue climbing to the top floor, stand in a spot where the smoke cannot reach, shout for help loudly, and wait for rescue.
Fires are merciless, and life is fragile. Sometimes once a fire breaks out, it cannot be extinguished immediately, leaving us with no choice but to watch helplessly as it rages unchecked. Therefore, our only option is prevention—prevention, and more prevention; caution, caution, and still more caution. Fire safety is the responsibility of every single one of us, and time waits for no one. Let us take proactive action: strengthen our awareness of safety precautions, master the skills needed to ensure safety, enhance our ability to prevent hazards, and rigorously implement all safety measures—to safeguard lives.
Previous page
Latest News
Guanghua Fire Protection: Continuous Independent Innovation!
Want to learn more about our products? Send us an inquiry.
Contact Us
Contact phone number:0523-86819288
National Hotline:86-400-8088-119
Email:sales@ghfire.com
Address: No. 158, Taigao Road, Economic Development Zone, Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province
