Avoid improper use of electrical gadgets to prevent fire – BFP

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) warned the public on New Year’s Eve against the improper use of electrical appliances, as it’s the number one cause of fire during this season.

According to BFP spokesperson Fire Supt. Anthony Arroyo, electrical appliances and Christmas lights that are not in use should be unplugged, especially when going out of the house.

“Your electrical appliances that often become the cause of fires, such as an iron left plugged in, or chargers that can sometimes cause a battery explosion. Those are often the scenarios, especially when the electrical appliances or devices being used are standard, because they’re cheap and available everywhere,” Arroyo said in Filipino in a “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” interview.

READ: DPWH office fire caused by short circuit, says BFP

“Likewise, if you’re really going to be away from the house for a long time because of the holiday season, we advise that, if possible, you turn off the main switch — if there’s nothing inside the fridge or refrigerator. But if there is, the refrigerator is generally safe. Based on our data, there have been almost no reported or investigated cases where a fire was caused by a refrigerator. If there are any, they are very isolated cases,” he added.

Aside from these types of appliances, Arroyo said that “open flame” is the second cause of fires during holidays.

“Many people are cooking. Many are preparing food at the dining table. So that also becomes a factor in the increase in fires. And second are embers and sparks, because of things like fireworks and other decorative lights,” he said.

Just last October, the Department of Public Works and Highways Bureau of Research and Standards was engulfed in fire due to a short circuit.

No documents related to the flood control scandal were in the affected building, according to the department. /atm