How to avoid fires during Christmas season? BFP shares tips

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Friday gave tips to avoid fire incidents during the Christmas and New Year revelries.

Christmas lights

BFP spokesperson Fire Senior Superintendent Bonifacio Carta warned that keeping Christmas lights on around Christmas trees all day and all night poses a high risk of overheating, which may cause fire.

“Katulad lang din po 'yan ng isang ordinaryong tao, napapagod din po 'yan. Hindi po talaga puwedeng all the time po iyan nakabukas kasi pwede po 'yan pagmulan ng sunog,” he said at a press conference. 

(It's just like an ordinary person, they get tired too. Christmas lights can't be open all the time because it could start a fire.)

The fire fighters also recommended the use of LED Christmas lights bearing the Philippine Standard (PS) Quality and/or Safety Mark and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

Electrical, kitchen fire

Carta also advised families leaving for vacation to turn off all electrical sources through the main circuit breaker before leaving their homes.

He advised them to inform trusted neighbors about their travel plans so they can monitor for any unusual activity or emergencies concerning their houses.

In a separate statement, the BFP also advised the public to be vigilant of the following top causes of fire:

• Electrical - short circuits, overloading; and
• Open Flame (burning of wastes, open-flame cooking).

It said kitchen fires also have the tendency to occur more often during the holiday season.

Firecrackers

The BFP encouraged revelers to avoid using firecrackers.

It said fires caused by fireworks and pyrotechnics have experienced a sharp rise this year, from 31 incidents in 2024 to a running total of 111 (as of December 3) for 2025.

It added that while the firecrackers and pyrotechnics come with the festivities, the BFP works in close coordination with the local government units and the Philippine National Police in the strict implementation of Executive Order 28, regulating the use of legal firecrackers in designated community fireworks display areas only.

The BFP will be prepositioning its fire trucks and personnel near these areas.

The BFP, meanwhile, said that the agency will hold community visits, safety inspections, and public information drives aimed at preventing holiday-related fires.

“Pinapalakas po namin ang mga fire safety inspection activities po namin sa mga tindahan ng mga pailaw at paputok, electrical decorations, manufacturing, processing, and distribution facilities,” Carta said.

(We are strengthening our fire safety inspection activities at fireworks and firecrackers stores, electrical decorations, manufacturing, processing, and distribution facilities.)

“Katulad po ng mga high-risk establishment at saka transportation hubs, pagsubaybay po sa mga itinalagang community fireworks display po,” he added.

(Same with high-risk establishments and transportation hubs. we are also monitoring designated community fireworks display venues.)

Full alert

The BFP will be on full alert from December 23, 2025 to January 1, 2026 with approximately 31,000 personnel on standby.

In case of fire, medical, and other emergencies, call the Unified Emergency Hotline 911, the BFP said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News