Fire prevention measures

First of all, prevention is better than cure. To prevent fires, make sure that the fire source of any fire is extinguished or keep watch on the fire source.

Be careful not to sleep with smoke lit, don’t place any flammable items next to the stove, try to use things made of non-combustible materials, and also make sure the house is equipped with a fire extinguisher and install a residential fire alarm.

If a fire occurs, stay calm, avoid breathing smoke, apply safety first procedures and if the fire is already too big, flee quickly.

As soon as you can call 119 to report the fire, yell fire to notify others and flee as soon as possible. If you are in a high-rise building not take the elevator when escaping in case you are trapped in a power outage.

If you can extinguish the fire yourself, immediately use the fire extinguisher or a wet towel or water source to put out the fire.

If there is a fire drill or training, try to actively participate, know how to use the fire extinguisher and act calmly.

Have an emergency evacuation kit at home.


Causes of the fire

Every year in Japan, more than a thousand people die from fires in their homes.

There are many causes of fires in everyday life, including fires caused problems with cooking or heating equipment, from gas stove fires and from faulty electrical plugs, sockets etc.

Other causes include cigarette butts, artificial fires, dry and windy air, dust or moisture in the gap between plugs and sockets, and so on.

Also, after years of use and deterioration of electrical appliances they may overheat and ignite. You should regularly check the security of your home appliances, electrical plugs, etc.


Countermeasures for high tide surges

As the tide level rises, seawater may overflow the dikes and flow onto the land, causing great hazards to people, objects, transportation, and facilities.

If you live near the coast or go to a place close to the sea, please check the hazard map of these areas in advance to see if they are located in a flood-prone area and confirm the hazards of past disasters and storms and high tides.

Collect the latest weather information and keep an eye on the situation, listen to any evacuation advice and high tide warnings from the local community, research a good evacuation route, and evacuate as soon as possible.