Prepare buckets of water, sand, fire extinguisher on New Year's Eve —BFP

Aside from warning against the use of firecrackers, the Bureau of Fire Protection on Wednesday advised the public to prepare buckets of water, sand, and fire extinguisher on New Year's Eve to immediately put out fire before it spreads.

“Kaya nga tayo nagre-remind palagi na huwag na sana magpaputok lalong lalo na sa mga kabahayan at kung sakali 'man na tayo ay nanonood lang, kapag nga dumapo sa ating tahanan, agad-agad itong apulahin, gamit ng balde ng tubig or buhangin at pinakamainam talaga na mayroon tayong fire extinguisher sa bahay natin para maliit palang, maaapula na agad natin,” BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Annalee Atienza said in a Balitanghali interview.

(We always remind the public not to use firecrackers especially near their homes and if ever they are just watching those who do and a flame accidentally fell on their house, they can immediately put it out with buckets of water, sand, or better if they have a fire extinguisher.)

She also added that fire extinguisher balls, developed by the engineers from the Fire Enforcement Divisions, may be used in case of bigger fires.

“Ito raw na ball will only activate kapag malaki na, [and] will only explode at certain temperature. Meaning to say hindi siya advisable sa mga maliliit palang na apoy kaya ang pinakapino-promote natin ay ang fire extinguisher dahil habang maliit pa lang ito, maaapula na agad,” she added.

(The fire balls only activate when the blaze is already big and will only explode at a certain temperature. Meaning to say, it is not advisable for smaller fires so we promote the use of fire extinguisher because it can put out fire that are just starting.)

Instead of firecrackers, the BFP urged the public to use safer alternatives to make noise, such as pots and pans, horns, and videoke to avoid fire incidents.

“Kung ang ating goal ay itaboy ang malas, andiyan ang kaserola, torotot, at videoke. However, kung nakagawian natin na mag-firecrackers pa rin, make sure na ito ay nasa malawak na lugar, safe, malayo sa kabahayan,” she said.

(If our goal is to drive away bad luck, we can use pots and pans, horns, and videoke. However, if we really want to light firecrackers, we should do it in a wide space, safe, far from the houses.)

Meanwhile, Atienza said in an earlier interview that the BFP will be operating on code red until January 1 and will be operating on full force during the holiday.

The BFP also advised the public to follow the Emergency Drill in the Home (EDITH) to ensure fire safety at all times.

“Tayong mag-anak ay pag-usapan natin, kamustahin natin kung saan ang main switch ng bahay, saan ang fire exit, paano mag-exit sa mga grills dahil kadalasan ay nata-trap ang ating mga victims. I-drill natin, bata at matanda dahil concern natin itong lahat,” she said.

(Let us talk to our family members, let them know and discuss where is the main switch, where is the fire exit, how to go out of the house if there are grills to avoid being trapped inside. We should do a drill, both young and old, because this is a concern of everybody.)— Jiselle Anne Casucian/AOL, GMA Integrated News