Risk of fire and explosion from burning votive paper on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month

In fact, despite warnings about the risk of fire and explosion from burning votive paper, there have been many fires. According to the authorities, the burning of votive paper must comply with regulations, ensuring fire prevention and fighting safety to avoid unfortunate dangers.

People need to be careful when burning votive paper during the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Photo: TL

In old apartment buildings, small alleys, and tangled electrical wires, there is no place to burn votive paper, so many people struggle to find a place to burn it. When there is no place to burn votive paper, sidewalks and roads are used. However, there is no furnace to burn it on the street. Just like that, ashes and smoke billow.

According to information from Hanoi City Police, in the first 6 months of 2024, there were 594 fires, killing 20 people, injuring 9 people, with estimated damage of 5.1 billion VND, of which 4 cases caused serious damage...

Hanoi City Police reported that in reality, fires caused by burning incense and votive papers were mainly caused by burning in the wrong place; not ensuring the distance between the incense and votive papers; leaving too much votive papers near the incense and candle burning locations, leading to fires. During the burning of votive papers, there was no one watching, causing the embers to spread to surrounding objects...

Faced with the risk of fire and explosion caused by burning votive paper, Hanoi City Police recommends that people raise awareness of complying with regulations on fire prevention and fighting; strictly manage and safely use fire and heat sources when burning incense and votive paper.

People need to arrange a reasonable place of worship, the altar must be made of materials that are difficult to burn or non-flammable, with partitions to prevent fire from spreading to the surrounding area. Oil lamps, incense burners, and candles must be placed firmly on non-flammable objects, away from flammable objects, ensuring that fire does not spread when the incense sticks in the incense burner burn or the oil lamp or candle falls; there should be few flammable materials on the altar.

People need to burn votive papers in the right places; do not burn incense and votive papers in areas where the use of flames is prohibited, burn votive papers and incense at production and business establishments, gas stations, markets, shopping centers, etc.

People should regularly check the fire safety of the electrical system and electrical equipment in the area where the altar is located, promptly detect loopholes and shortcomings and take corrective measures. Before leaving the house and before going to bed, they must check the place of worship and turn off unnecessary electrical equipment.

People need to participate in training courses on knowledge and skills on fire prevention and fighting organized by the police and local authorities; proactively equip at least one portable fire extinguisher for households, and promptly handle fire and explosion incidents.

When a fire breaks out, people quickly alert everyone around; cut off the power source; use initial fire fighting equipment such as portable fire extinguishers... and at the same time call the hotline number 114, actively put out the fire and rescue victims.

In temple and pagoda areas, it is necessary to increase propaganda and raise awareness of fire prevention and fighting for those serving on-site, broadcast propaganda on loudspeakers so that people who come to worship and visit are aware of fire prevention and fighting...

It is estimated that every year, Vietnamese people burn nearly 60,000 tons of votive paper, equivalent to nearly 5,800 billion VND, turning it into ashes. The concept of "the afterlife is like the present life" makes the burning of votive paper become distorted, excessive, unsafe for fire prevention and fighting, and pollutes the environment. Every year, in Hanoi alone, dozens of fires occur due to burning incense and votive paper.

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguy-co-chay-no-tu-dot-vang-ma-dip-ram-thang-7-post307919.html