Colombians are the fire-safest people in the world

The good people of Bogota to be the most fire-safe people in the world.  It's one of the very first things a visitor notices.  Fire extinguishers are everywhere. And these extinguishers are not the small couldn't put a candle out variety.  Commonly we see globe devices two feet across, side by side.

And apparently they get used. A lot.  I'm guessing this from the very large number of fire extinguisher recharging stations you see everywhere.  "Wait a minute" you might ask. "I've never even seen one recharging station".  And you'd be right, if you are in the States.  Not here.  You can't miss them.  They are sometimes literally on every street corner. (No, really, "literally") 

Want proof?  See the photos that follow.  I took these photos while driving along just a two mile stretch of Bogota's main road, the Autopiste Norte.  Each photo shows an independently owned and operated kiosk that sells or recharges fire extinguishers.  That's about one kiosk every other block.

I don't get it, but I'll add this puzzle to my running list. (See another blog entry on puzzles to solve.)  (And no, it's not a special national fire safety day.  This is every day.)

And it's not just the highways.  There are small fire extinguisher re-charge shops all over town.  They also sell other safety equipment (roadside reflectors, hi-viz vests, traffic cones).

So, Watson, I conclude that Colombians are the fire-safest people in the world. And a special hats off the the business hustle of Bogota's Chargers (Is that what they're called?)  They're out there making sure that the fire extinguishers of Colombia's capital are ready to save the day from fire.  Well done!