People always say that an ounce of prevention is way much better than a pound of cure. It's really tru when it comes to fire - it's so destructive that in a blink of an eye it could take away all your properties, and even lives. So in order to protect yourself and family, here are prevention tips you should practice at home.

I. At Home

1. A burning lamp or candle should be placed away from the curtains and should be placed in a spot where the wind, pets and little children could not topple it. Never leave it unattended or else the fire might spread to the curtains. Put it out before sleeping.

2. Keep matches and lighters away from children's reach.

3. Flammable objects like gasoline and alcohol must be stored in a safe place. Cover flammable containers lightly.

4. Clean your roof and attic regularly. Get rid of leaves, wood shavings and other rubbish that could start fire.

5. When burning all the rubbish, make sure the fire is totally put out, and no smoe could be seen. Extinguish all smoldering coals.

6. Never, ever smoke in bed. After smoking, make sure the flame is out completely, without any presence of smoke.

7. Before retiring at night or leaving the house, inspect all the appliances and check if they're already turned off. Check all the wires, cables and tanks.

8. Educate your children on what to do in case of fire.

9. Always place your door keys somewhere near the door, or on the door itslef. Make sure every one in the family knows where the keys are. Better yet, make sure they have duplicates of it, so in case of fire, you'll be able to make your way out. Never mix the door keys with other keys.

II. In The Kitchen

1. When cooking, don't leave the stove unattended. Keep little children and flammable objects away from it.

2. Check your kitchen regularly for gas/oil leaks.

3. Avoid wearing loose clothes when cooking as it might catch fire.

4. Always use potholders when holding something hot, like frying pans or kettles.

5. Don't reach over a burning stove. You might get burned or your clothes might catch fire.

III. What To Do In Case Of Fire

When your clothes catch fire, don't panic. Immediately fall to the ground and roll to put out the fire. Running will only make the fire spread to other areas or parts of your clothes and will therefore make it intense. If this is not possible, use a blanket or towel.

When you're in a hotel, don't forget to check the fire exit's location. You'll never when know the unexpected occurs.

Cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel or hanky and crawl your way out if your room is filled with smoke.

Remember, it is always safer to know what you should do to keep accidents from happening, and know how to respond to the situation when it's there, than to panic due to ignorance. Take care!