While studying theatre at university, we had a class that, at first thought, had nothing to do with my discipline. That class was on fire safety. When the officer went through the session, I realised that it had everything to do with working in the theatre as a fire can break out in the theatre and quick response can make all the difference. I also realised that it applied to my life at home and at work. The basic thing is that most people never educate themselves on what to do when there is a fire and doing the simplest task can elude you, like remembering the number of the emergency service. I know first hand because when a fire broke out at our home when I was a teenager, I looked at the phone in my hand blankly not remembering the number for the fire service – 999.
The fire officer told us about the importance of practicing. “Don’t wait for the fire to pick up the fire extinguisher for the first time.” He told us. It will be useless because you would now be trying to figure out how to operate it while the fire grows.
Like many other offices in Trinidad and Tobago, there is a fire extinguisher present where I work, but it is like a piece of furniture. I am sure if I, or anyone reading this, ask their colleagues where is the fire extinguisher in the office, there will be answers like, “I know I saw one somewhere but I’m not sure where it is.”
I don’t want to ramble on, but I decided to step away from advertising and social media for a moment to point out the importance of fire safety and preparedness because we never prepare for the unexpected. Basic knowledge can prevent a little fire becoming an inferno, thus saving property and perhaps even your life.
I share the following video on the use of a fire extinguisher but fire safety goes far beyond just that. There is a great deal for the general public to know about fire safety that can make a world of difference and I suggest to all reading this, to set up a day or a few hours for the week or over some weeks, at the office for a fire officer to come in to give the staff a lesson on fire safety. You will be surprised at how that session will be highly enlightening and of great benefit.
