Tips for a merry, safe Christmas

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) gave tips yesterday to prevent fires and other accidents during the Yuletide season.

BFP director Chief Superintendent Jose Collado advised the public to unplug all Christmas lights before going to bed or leaving the house to prevent incidents of fire.

"It is also advisable to check all electrical connections for frayed wires, broken plugs, and sockets and have them changed," said Collado.

Fires, often caused by substandard Christmas lights and other decorations, become frequent during the holidays.

Collado also reminded the public never to overload outlets and use no more than three strands of electrical connections on a single extension cord, commonly known as "octopus connections."

"It’s better to buy quality Christmas lights than those sub-standards that may cause us to lose our properties or worst some lives due to electrical short circuits."

He said electrically related fire incidents from January to August this year reached 1,817.

Collado added that the public should refrain from buying banned firecrackers such as plapla, "Super Lolo" and other highly explosive kinds to prevent pyrotechnic related-accidents.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno ordered the BFP to ensure safe and peaceful celebrations of Christmas and New Year.

The DILG and the BFP released tips and guidelines to prevent fire and accidents caused by firecrackers, which injure hundreds of revelers each year. Officials urged the public to buy only legally mandated firecrackers.

"Never light firecrackers inside the house. Adults must keep watch over children playing with fireworks. Ensure that they are having fun the right and safe way," Collado noted. "Do not allow children to keep firecrackers inside their pockets, store them away from fire or any heat source." — Cecille Suerte Felipe