Careful with those Yule lights

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has issued tips to help residents celebrate accident-free holidays.

BFP director Chief Superintendent Enrique Linsangan said the bureau has started its preparedness campaign for this Christmas season by educating the public on the proper use of Christmas lights, electrical appliances or gadgets and by conducting inspections of shopping malls and other public places.

Linsangan advised the public not to buy cheap but substandard Christmas lights and decorations.

He said people should also be extra careful when using firecrackers to welcome the New Year 2008.

Records showed that from January to October this year, there were 7,876 fire incidents reported nationwide.

The BFP gathered that major causes of fire include defective electrical wiring, electrical short circuit and overheating of motors of electrical appliances.

The BFP issued the following tips:

    * Switch off all electrically-lit Christmas decor (Christmas lanterns/Christmas trees) before sleeping or when leaving your house.

    * If you’re leaving your house during the holidays, make sure to unplug all appliances and close your liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank valve.

    * Adults must keep watch over children playing with firecrackers. Ensure that they are having fun the right way and the safe way.

    * Never light fireworks inside the house.

    * Never hold firecrackers when lighting them.

    *  Don’t burn rubber tires or make bonfires on the streets.

    * It is safer to throw unlighted firecrackers into a drum with fire inside. Keep drum away from combustible materials.

    * Never pick up or hold a firecracker that failed to explode. Explosion may be delayed by a loose fuse.

    * Flying firecrackers should always be lighted on open ground, pointing straight up.

    * Don’t allow children to keep firecrackers in their pockets. Store them away from fire or any heat source.

    * Ensure that children don’t engage in pranks such as throwing lighted firecrackers or sparklers at others, or try to make fireworks themselves.

    * Store fireworks in a safe place, away from combustible materials.

    *Wear close-fitting clothes of thick materials instead of loose or flimsy garments when using fireworks.

    * Keep a pail of water handy.  It can be used to put out a fire or as first-aid for minor burns until proper treatment can be given.

    * Buy only legal firecrackers. Don’t buy banned firecrackers such as “Pla-Pla,” “Super Lolo,” or other highly explosive varieties.

    * After the New Year’s Eve celebrations, douse all firecracker debris with water and sweep them away.

   BFP authorities called on the public to help minimize accidents that would lead to loss of life and damage to property.