Looking at recent cases, around 8:45p.m. on September 28, a fire broke out at a motorbike repair shop in Residential Group No.11, Điện Biên Phủ ward, destroying all the family’s assets. Earlier, at 3:15 p.m. on September 25, another fire erupted at the headquarters of Việt Trang Distribution Company in Residential Group 6 of the same ward. The Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Division mobilized one command vehicle, six fire engines, and 72 officers and firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

These two incidents highlight the sudden and severe nature of fire hazards. Fire gives no warning,  and if we only act when it’s already burning, it’s often too late.

The statistics show that fire and explosion risks are no longer “someone else’s problem” but a constant threat in every household. They also reveal that fire prevention at the family and community level remains insufficient.

According to the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Division, several factors contribute to the rising number of fires in residential areas: negligence in handling fire sources, outdated or overloaded electrical systems, and lack of basic fire safety knowledge among residents, especially in rural areas. Many homes lack even simple firefighting tools, such as fire extinguishers. These are not new causes,  yet they recur year after year. People are aware of the risks but fail to take corrective action, leaving the problem to the authorities.

The increasing number of residential fires is a wake-up call about public awareness. Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility, a matter of survival for every household, neighborhood, and individual. Once a fire occurs, not only are properties lost, but lives may also be at risk.

To reduce fire and explosion risks, decisive and comprehensive action is needed: Ensuring 100% of households are equipped with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and emergency exits; prohibiting living or doing business in facilities that fail to meet fire safety standards; encouraging every family to inspect their electrical and gas systems regularly and learn basic firefighting skills; expanding community fire prevention models such as “Neighborhood Fire Safety Teams” and “Public Fire Points;” intensifying inspections and strictly handle high-risk establishments; and organizing practical firefighting and rescue drills, focusing on real-life scenarios rather than formality.

The fire police force cannot be everywhere, but each citizen can become an on-site firefighter if equipped with the right knowledge and awareness.

Responding to the national campaign “All People Participate in Fire Prevention,” Điện Biên Province aims to minimize the number of fires, prevent large-scale incidents, and avoid casualties. To achieve this, the guiding principle “Prevention Is Better Than Firefighting” must be turned into real action.

If every household in Điện Biên becomes a small “fire prevention point,” and every individual remains vigilant about fire, electricity, and flammable materials, the community will be safer. This means no more painful losses, no more damage to property, and, most importantly, no loss of human life.