We cannot ignore the risk of fire from burning incense and votive paper.

However, the situation of burning incense without control and burning votive paper indiscriminately and in the wrong places has been posing a serious risk of fire and explosion, causing great damage to people and property.

The scene of the fire on July 25 started from the altar on the second floor of a house in Yet Kieu alley, Cua Nam ward. *Photo: CT*

According to Hanoi City Police, approximately 20% of fires and fire incidents occur due to carelessness in the use of fire and heat sources. In particular, during the 7th and 8th lunar months, fires caused by burning incense, worshiping, and burning votive paper become more complicated, especially in old apartment buildings and small alleys.

The most recent example was the fire on the afternoon of July 25 that started from the altar on the second floor of a house in Yet Kieu alley, Cua Nam ward. Fortunately, when the fire was discovered, people shouted and used portable fire extinguishers to put out the fire. The fire did not cause any damage to people or property, but it also sounded the alarm about the risk of fire and explosion in residential areas due to burning incense and votive paper.

On the occasion of the full moon of July, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong (Dong Ngac ward) said that many people burned votive paper on the sidewalk, on the street, or right in the hallway, on the balcony of apartment buildings, near objects such as curtains, wooden furniture, papers... At places of worship, although there were notices not to burn a lot of incense, many people still burned a large amount of incense, placed incense randomly, posing a potential risk of fire.

According to Hanoi City Police, in reality, fires caused by burning incense and votive papers are mainly due to burning in the wrong place; not ensuring the distance between the incense burning place and placing too much votive papers near the incense and candle burning location, leading to fire. During the burning process, there was no one watching, so the embers spread to surrounding objects...

Many people burn votive paper on the street, not in the right place. *Photo: DT*

Realizing the risk of fire that may occur when people burn a lot of incense and votive paper during the 7th and 8th lunar months, the Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department (Hanoi City Police) has actively done a good job of checking, reminding and propagating regulations for business households and residential households combined with business in the area to strictly comply with regulations on fire safety.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Sinh, owner of a business in Quang Oai market (Quang Oai commune) said that because she is regularly inspected and reminded by the authorities, during her business, her family always has someone to supervise the incense burning and votive paper burning; the shop is fully equipped with fire extinguishers; votive paper is burned in designated places...

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Manh Tuan, Captain of the Fire Fighting and Rescue Team of Area No. 14 (Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department - Hanoi City Police) said that due to managing the area of many places of worship (Tay Ho Ward, Phu Thuong Ward, Xuan Dinh Ward), the unit has proactively coordinated with the ward police force to inspect and guide fire and explosion prevention and fighting measures for cultural and spiritual sites; promptly recommended to the Management Board of communal houses, temples, pagodas, and relic sites to come up with safety measures, requesting to overcome loopholes and shortcomings in fire prevention and fighting safety.

Authorities propagate fire prevention and fighting to businesses in Quang Oai market (Quang Oai commune). *Photo: CT*

The Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Rescue Police Department recommends that during the process of burning incense, you must watch the altar, arrange the place of worship to ensure a safe distance for fire prevention and fighting; keep the incense bowl away from flammable objects on the altar; do not burn incense sticks overnight. Limit the number of flammable materials and the use of candles in worship; do not leave the house when the incense on the altar is still on.

In addition, when burning votive paper, there must be someone watching; in the right place, away from places with flammable objects, do not burn too much votive paper. Do not burn votive paper in prohibited places such as: markets, shopping malls, places with flammable materials..., always have measures to prevent fire from spreading.

Small carelessness in burning incense and votive paper can lead to unpredictable consequences. Therefore, people need to practice their beliefs in a civilized and safe manner, not only to show their respect but also to protect themselves, their families and the community.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/khong-the-lo-la-nguy-co-chay-tu-thap-huong-dot-vang-ma-716681.html