On the last day of its 3-day sale (July 16, Sunday), fire broke out in the SM Store’s warehouse at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City.
At 8:48 p.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) tweeted that they raised the fire alarm.
A little over an hour after the MMDA’s announcement, SM City North Edsa’s management posted on Facebook: “Our emergency response team was immediately on site to manage said incident. The situation is already contained. No one was hurt in the incident. Investigation into the matter is ongoing, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection. The mall is in normal operations and maintenance and clearing activities are being conducted.”
Inquirer.net reports that the Bureau of Fire Protection declared fireout in less than two hours, at exactly 10:33 p.m.
No one was hurt in the blaze. The mall has resumed normal operations as of today, July 17.
Keeping your kids safe inside malls
Fires aren’t the only dangers parents should be aware of when you’re with your kids in the mall. Aside from knowing where the nearest fire exits are, here are more safety tips to remember.
Keep them close even in the parking lot
It’s best to carry kids when heading to and from your parked car. Parking lots are often dark and cramped, making it difficult for drivers to easily spot small children.
Assign clear responsibilities
Before heading to the mall, make sure it’s clear between you and your partner or your kid’s yaya who is responsible for whom. Make sure your kids know how to stay close to who is assigned to watch over them.
Be aware of your surroundings
Sadly, malls aren’t child-proofed, so it’s up to parents to be on the lookout for sharp edges, corners, etc. and to be extra careful when riding escalators. Don’t let your guard down, even if you are in an upscale mall that isn’t crowded. Keep kids within arm’s reach, not just within eyesight, at all times.
Take them inside the bathroom stall with you
Kidnappings in an instant. The bathroom is one of the most risky places in the mall, as many abductions have been reported to have happened there. Often, we allow our older kids to go to bathrooms alone, but it’s better to be safe than sorry and bring them to the bathroom with you. If they’re too big to be in the same stall, you can ask them to wait in the other stall so you can exit at the same time.
Quiz: How much do you know about child safety?
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