Filipinos enjoy Christmas and New Year celebrations.
However, it poses some potential safety risks, particularly when using electric decorations.
To ensure safe and festive celebrations, Senior Fire Officer 3 Clemente Amante Battalao, deputy city fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Dagupan City, shared essential tips to prevent accidents and promote the safe use of electrical holiday decorations.
BFP’s safety tips for electric decor
Battalao cautioned those who have not yet purchased or plan to purchase electric decorations for the holiday season to be vigilant to prevent fire incidents, especially at home.
1. Choose quality products
Always purchase electrical decorations from reputable stores and ensure they are approved by safety standards.
Battalao said, “Christmas lights and other electrical decorations without Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certification are extremely dangerous and should be avoided as they have not undergone proper product testing for safety.”
Further, the BFP, as fire experts, advised to use light-emitting diodes (LED) as they emit very little heat.
2. Inspect carefully before purchasing, using
Battalao advised, “Purchase electric decorations and extension cords with thick wires and secure plugs, as thin wires are prone to overheating and can cause short circuits.”
Additionally, immediately repair or replace any damaged electric decorations to ensure safety.
3. Limit overloading of outlets
In previous holiday seasons, overloaded outlets were linked to fire incidents.
Hence, refrain from using multiple plugs or extension cords in a single outlet.
The BFP recommended limiting the use of Christmas lights to a maximum of three strings per outlet to ensure safety.
4. Turn off when unattended
Battalao said to always turn off Christmas decorations when leaving the house or going to bed to prevent electrical hazards.
As an additional safety and cost-saving tip, he advised, “Set specific times for lighting up decorations.”
He added, “If a fire starts due to Christmas lights, switch off the main power before pouring water to avoid electrocution. If the fire spreads uncontrollably, evacuate immediately and call the fire brigade.”
Meanwhile, he urged every household to invest in portable fire extinguishers for their homes.
5. Keep away from flammable materials
Ensure that electric decorations are kept away from other flammable objects that could easily ignite.
Electrical materials are not placed near plastics or paper, as these are highly flammable.
6. Use safe, suitable electric decor for outdoor areas
For outdoor decorations, use lighting designed for outdoor use to handle rain and wind.
Battalao said, “Make sure they are waterproof and the extension cord used is water-resistant, as water is a good conductor of electricity, which could lead to a fire.”
Fire safety and preparedness in Dagupan City
Battalao emphasized that prevention and discipline are critical, especially during the holidays.
He also stressed the importance of saving the BFP local emergency hotline in your area to ensure a quick response to fire emergencies.
Likewise, Dagupan City Fire Station has 29 firefighters ready to respond to emergencies.
Fire equipment and engines are fully prepared, with three fire trucks ready for immediate deployment.
For fire-related emergencies, residents can contact 0917-184-2611. (AMB/JCDR/CSS/PIA Pangasinan)
