BFP eyes public participation in fire safety efforts for Christmas season

Amid restrictions in light of the COVID-19 threat, the Bureau of Fire Protection promotes fire safety during the Christmas season with the active participation of communities and concerned sectors.

In a press briefing, BFP Fire Safety and Enforcement acting director Fire Senior Superintendent Romeo Maltezo Jr. said restrictions due to COVID-19 have affected their campaign.

“With the restriction brought by the pandemic, a different approach in executing the campaign is needed,” Maltezo said.

He noted that fire safety should not be compromised and should remain as the utmost concern of the BFP and the public during the season.

“Thus, The BFP promotes fire safety with the active participation and involvement of the community and all other sectors under the principle of new normal,” he said.

Unlike the previous years, Maltezo said the BFP has stopped distributing flyers. Instead, the bureau is now using LED walls and Facebook pages to broadcast fire safety reminders.

“Nakipag-uganayan po tayo sa iba't ibang ahensya para po ipalabas kung ano po 'yung mga paalala ng BFP,” he said.

“Ang aming bandillo po o 'yung pag-iikot po ng aming firetruck at nagpapaalala po during o bago po ng holidays season ay patuloy pa rin pong ginagawa namin,” he added.

Maltezo also shared some tips in preventing fire incidents this Christmas season:

• “Gumamit lamang ng mga electric decoration na aprobado ng Department of Trade and Industry. Palaging tingnan kung may tunay na ICC sticker ang inyong bibilhing gamit, at
• Siguraduhing akma sa lokasyon na paglalagyan ang dekorasyong gagamitin, panlabas o panloob ng bahay man.” 

When leaving the house, Maltezo reminded the public to turn off the Christmas lights as many fire incidents were caused by neglected light decorations. 

He said, “Panatlihing malayo sa abot ng mga bata ang mga saksakan ng pailaw. Ang mga maliliit na ilaw palamuti ay madaling paglaruan ng mga bata nna nagiging sanhi ng pagkakuryente at maging ng sunog,” 

Huwag manigarilyo o maglagay ng ash tray, kandila, malapit sa mga Christmas tree, kurtina at iba pang mga palamuti. Maaaring pagmulan ng sunog ang mga buhay na apoy gaano man ito kaliit.” 

He also suggested placing materials that can be easily burnt like curtains, papers, carpets, and others away from the light decorations.

“Huwag mag-overload sa mga saksakan at mga extension cords. Maaaring mag-init ang mga ito dahil sa sobrang kuryente na puwedeng pagmulan ng apoy,” he added. —LBG, GMA News