A dangerous habit

November 2, 2023

Smoking in bed is one of the main causes of fires and deaths among Belarusians, but unextinguished cigarette butts thrown from upper floors pose an equally dangerous threat.

Every day, the Ministry of Emergency Situations' reports are filled with news that fire has brought misfortune to someone's home.

Smoking in bed is one of the main causes of fires and deaths among Belarusians, but unextinguished cigarette butts thrown from upper floors pose an equally dangerous threat. Often, balconies serve as storage rooms where old clothes and flammable liquids are kept.

A smoking person puts not only themselves but also their loved ones at risk. The health consequences have long been known: passive smoking causes great harm to those around, but a thrown cigarette butt can bring disaster to the residents of lower floors.

How to Smoke Safely

1. If you cannot quit tobacco yourself, do not throw cigarettes on the floor or smoke in bed;

2. Cigarette butts should be collected in a tin can filled with water. Forget the habit of throwing "butts" from a loggia or balcony;

3. Close the windows on the balcony or loggia, and do not store flammable liquids there. Sometimes tidying up and not turning your balcony into a storage room is a good solution not only for minimalism enthusiasts;

4. Install a fire alarm that will help notify you of a fire in a timely manner.

But remember! The best way to protect yourself from the consequences of tobacco is to quit smoking altogether. Do not forget that flying and drunken cigarette butts can lead to crippled lives, broken destinies, and burnt-down homes.