Fire Safety

It's fire safety week. The village fire truck, the one smaller than most American SUVs, has been circling the area with a taped message blaring through their speakers reminding folks to be careful with their heaters. When the winter weather chills our homes, the concern for safety arises. Most people still use kerosene room heaters like the one pictured since houses do not have central heating. It only takes one small child or an excited dog to knock it over and start a fire. We use a propane heater and it is heavier but almost as dangerous. Few people use electricity to heat more than a small area because electricity is so expensive.

I think the little fire truck in and of itself is a warning. It says "this fire truck is so small and inadequate that there is no chance whatsoever that we will be able to actually put out a fire." The volunteer fire force does exactly not instill confidence either, but they are a well-meaning and fun-loving bunch. Our house, basically a wood box filled with tinder, is near the fire cistern, which should provide some security. However, the cistern is only full of water during the rainy season, when it is so hot, humid and wet that you can't even light a match let alone burn down your house. When it is cold and dry and we have gas fueled flames in our living area. So best heed the advice of the fire fighters and be cautious.