Electrical issues are among top causes of New Year's Eve fires – BFP

Aside from firecrackers, fires due to electrical issues are also a top cause of fires during New Year’s Eve, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said on Wednesday. 

“Maliban diyan sa paputok, ang number one talaga ay electrical causes. Napakataas po ng percentage ng cause of fire ang electrical, kasama na diyan ang overloading dahil mas marami ang nagkakabit ng mga pailaw, Christmas lights, mga pailaw at karamihan diyan iyong mga substandard product pa,” said BFP spokesperson Fire Supt. Anthony Arroyo in “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.” 

(Aside from fireworks, the number one [cause] is actually electrical. The percentage of fire caused by electrical [issues] is very high, and that includes overloading because more people are installing decorative lights and Christmas lights – most of which are substandard products.) 

Another common cause of fire during the New Year celebration is an open flame, especially when cooking food for the Media Noche. 

“Ang pangalawa po ay open flame, ganoon din holiday season mas marami ang nagluluto, marami ang nagpi-prepare ng pagkain sa hapag-kainan, so nagiging factor din siya sa pag-increase ng sunog,” said Arroyo. 

(The second [cause] is open flame, similarly, during the holiday season more people are cooking and preparing food for the table, so that also becomes a factor in the increase of fires.)

The BFP then advised the public to unplug and turn off their appliances when not in use. 

“I-unplug iyong mga electrical appliance na hindi naman ginagamit or di kaya kahit iyong mga Christmas light kapag natutulog na puwedeng i-unplug, lalo na kapag umalis ng bahay ‘no,” said Arroyo. 

(Unplug electrical appliances that are not being used, or even Christmas lights – when you go to sleep, you can unplug them, especially when leaving the house.) 

The BFP also discouraged the public from buying substandard appliances and electrical devices.

Data from the BFP showed that common places hit by fires are homes for up to two individuals, mercantiles, and storage facilities. 

“At ang involved naman na occupancy ‘no, umabot na kasalukuyan ‘no, December 23 to date ‘no, from January 1 ay 11,417 ang single and two family dwelling ang karamihan na nasusunog. Pangalawa lamang iyong mercantile na 1,159 na napakalayo – based on type of occupancy ito ng aming fire code; pangatlo iyong storage, pang-apat iyong business and among others,” Arroyo said.

(As for the involved occupancy – from January 1 to December 23 to date – there have been 11,417 single and two-family dwellings, which make up the majority of those caught in fire. Second is mercantile at 1,159, which is quite a far [second] – this is based on the type of occupancy in our fire code; third is storage, fourth is business, and among others.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News