Fires don't wait for warning.

Fire prevention is not solely the responsibility of specialized forces, but a shared responsibility, starting with the awareness of each family and each production and business establishment. In reality, even a moment of carelessness or negligence can lead to serious consequences. It's worth noting that many fires could be prevented if everyone developed fire prevention awareness early on.

The scene of the fire at Quoc Hung gold and silver shop, Cho Moi commune, on July 23, 2025.

In the first six months of this year, Thai Nguyen province experienced 58 fires, resulting in 3 deaths and estimated property damage of nearly 3.2 billion VND. Notably, more than half of the fires were attributed to electrical system and equipment malfunctions, as well as carelessness in the use of open flames and heat sources.

Two recent serious fires in Cho Ra and Cho Moi communes, Thai Nguyen province, serve as examples. In Cho Ra, a serious fire occurred in the business and office area of ​​Ba Be Investment, Trade and Service Joint Stock Company, resulting in one death, one injury, and property damage estimated at approximately 2.5 billion VND. This area mainly housed household goods, electrical equipment, and clothing.

In Cho Moi commune, a fire broke out at a gold and silver shop on July 23rd, and authorities promptly rescued three people trapped inside. Notably, the fire was determined to have originated on the first floor, where there were many flammable materials and plastic items, emitting a large amount of smoke and toxic fumes. However, these incidents all share one common point: the fires did not stem from "unusual" causes, but rather from a lack of proactive fire prevention measures – something that could have been avoided.

The question is, we've talked a lot about fire prevention and firefighting, but why do unfortunate incidents continue to happen? The answer lies largely in awareness and habits. While authorities have implemented many strong measures, from public awareness campaigns and inspections to technical guidance, in many places, people still consider fire prevention to be someone else's responsibility.

Many households hang fire extinguishers but have never tried using them. Numerous production and business establishments have emergency exits but they are often obscured; electrical wires are tangled, gas stoves are placed near flammable materials, or doors are locked while sleeping without a second escape route. If fire safety awareness remains merely a slogan, it will be difficult to prevent the consequences when a fire suddenly breaks out.

In reality, even with numerous measures implemented by authorities, if individual citizens remain indifferent, the desired effectiveness of fire prevention will be difficult to achieve. Fire prevention cannot be a reactive response only after an incident has occurred; it must begin with small daily habits such as: disconnecting electrical devices after use, checking wiring, arranging escape routes, and reminding family members of escape skills.

When each individual takes the initiative in such simple ways, fire prevention will no longer be something that needs external reminders, but will become a natural part of a safe and responsible lifestyle.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202507/hoa-hoan-khong-cho-canh-bao-9fa38f6/