Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reminded Central Luzon residents of various fire safety tips during the holiday season.
BFP Region 3 Fire Officer II Karl Kris Manalastas advised that buyers must not purchase cheap and substandard Christmas lights as these may cause fire.
โIf we will buy decorations for Christmas, let us make sure that the products have the PS [Philippine Standard Quality] mark and ICC [Import Commodity Clearance] sticker to ensure that they comply with quality standards,โ he said.
Electrical decorations should also be turned off when leaving homes, and not be left switched on overnight as these may generate heat which may cause fire.
In addition, Manalastas reminded the public to unplug unused devices, fix tangled cables, and avoid โoctopus connectionโ.
โThose who will light candles should avoid putting them near items that are easy to catch fire,โ he added.
Lights and decorations, power strips, and extension cords must also be examined for bare wires, discoloration or other damage to prevent fires and accidental electric shock.
Electrical connections in households must also be checked by licensed electricians.
Manalastas furthered that the public must never leave cooking food unattended to avoid kitchen fire.
โIn the season of festivities, Filipinos very much love to cook food. When you cook, you must guard the kitchen. Donโt let small children play in the kitchen area to avoid accidents,โ he added.
Flammable materials such as dish cloths and oven mitts should be kept away from hot surfaces and open flames. Combustible materials should also be placed at a safe distance.
If fire occurs, Manalastas reminded the public to remain calm and check its source. In case that the fire is from electrical wiring, the electrical source must be unplugged.
If it is kitchen fire, the fire source should be covered. Water should not be used to put it out.
A fire extinguisher should also be at all times ready to prevent fires from spreading.
In line with this, BFP has activated its โOplan Paalala: Iwas Paputokโ campaign to reach out to communities to remind them to be careful against fire during the holiday season.
โWe are all hands on deck during this seasonโฆ Our fire officers are rendering duties in their fire stations for 24 hours every day and ready to respond. The BFP is on red alert,โ Manalastas pressed.
Personnel will also be deployed in strategic locations in various cities and municipalities to give roadside assistance to travelers, and to immediately respond in cases of incidents.
Manalastas added that BFP also monitors if sellers of fireworks or firecrackers have their own permits.
โSome local government units may allow the selling of fireworks given that these are in a designated place. Usually, the BFP has monitoring teams which are deployed in these locations,โ he shared.
He urged villages to establish a firecracker zone to concentrate monitoring and safety efforts within a designated area to ensure a safer yuletide revelry.
The agency also distributes leaflets and flyers to inform the public about various fire safety guidelines. (PIA 3)
