The BFP has lined up several activities aimed at creating a holistic approach in preventing and mitigating destructive effects of fire, while empowering the public to proactively practice fire safety.

During a visit to San Lazaro Fire Station in Manila, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga assured Manila Fire District Fire S/Supt. Aristotle Bañaga and the San Lazaro Fire Station team of the power distributor’s continuing support to the BFP’s campaigns, citing Meralco’s own initiatives to enhance emergency response and promote public safety within its franchise area and nearby communities.

In its own headquarters, the company operates the Meralco Rescue Fire Sub-station which serves as its fire emergency response center, training facility for firefighters and rescue teams, and a direct line of the BFP to Meralco’s system control so that power can be quickly switched off in areas serviced by the distribution utility in case of fire.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the government in promoting public safety and protecting lives and properties of the communities we serve. Meralco stands alongside the BFP in championing fire prevention not only during Fire Prevention Month but all year-round,” Zaldarriaga said.

Bañaga, for his part, expressed BFP’s readiness to respond to emergencies as he emphasized the importance of safety practices to protect lives and properties from the impact of fire incidents, which statistically increase during drier and hotter months.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) revealed that there was a 12.9% spike in fire incidents from January to February compared to the same period last year. In numbers, that’s 2,103 fire incidents on the first two months of the year compared to 1,863 last year. The increase in fire incidents was attributed to the easing of restrictions due to the improved coronavirus situation in the country.

Historically, the onset of the dry season in March has seen the highest incidents of fire in the Philippines every year, hence March has been designated Fire Prevention Month. As mobility restrictions ease even further, and companies are being asked to go back to the office in order to stimulate the economy, the risk fire poses is greater than usual.

Prevention is of course the key, and according to the BFP in a separate article in May 2021, both presently and historically, the single biggest cause of residential fires are electrical issues: “Over the years, electrical connection issues have been the top cause of fires in Metro Manila, constituting an average of 53.85% of the total fires yearly,” the BFP article states.

The BFP cites loose connections, overloading, pinched wires, and/or overheated home appliances as leading causes of electrical fires. They have long been educating consumers on ways to avoid fire incidents: avoid octopus connections; throw out old power cables, connectors, and even appliances; and use circuit breakers and fuse boxes. Make sure unused appliances such as PCs and laptops, electric fans, TV sets, and the like are not left running when they are not in use, especially when nobody is home.

For those who cook with LPG, don’t leave stoves or ovens running unattended, and turn off regulators when not cooking or baking. Replace hoses and regulators at least once a year or more often if the cooking appliance is heavily used. These tips are effective preventative measures that should be applied at all times in all seasons, not just during Fire Prevention Month. 

The heightened risk that fires pose underscores the prevalent fact that Filipinos are underinsured. “It is important to be insured for as many things as there are that pose real and significant risks for things that matter, and that cannot easily be replaced. To not cover everything of value that is vulnerable to real risks is to be underinsured,” shares AXA Philippines President and CEO Rahul Hora.

Because anything can happen even to the most careful individuals, home insurance with fire coverage is a must. Homes are busier places than they were before the pandemic, making it 

advisable to get home insurance that covers a broad range of risks including fire. Home Security from AXA protects not just against property damage from a fire or other disasters, but it is also inclusive of personal accident insurance for household members, rent and relocation benefits, robbery coverage, and even household help protection.

When it comes to getting insured, it’s always advisable to go with a more well-known insurance company rather than simply going with the company that offers the lowest premiums. Choosing a globally trusted company such as AXA for all insurance needs gives you the peace of mind of knowing that when you need it most, insurance will be there to cushion whatever blows life throws at you and your loved ones.

Safety should always be our priority, and my foremost advocacy is to remind everyone about it. My column series launches with a topic very relevant for March, in observance of Fire Prevention Month. In 2021, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recorded a total of 3,315 fire incidents in National Capital Region (NCR), resulting to P1.3 billion of total estimated damage to property.

That is equivalent to about nine (9) fire incidents in a day in Metro Manila alone!

As part of its mandate to save lives and properties, the BFP conducts a series of activities every March as part of the Fire Prevention Month in its bid to raise awareness on the importance of fire prevention and safety. It is only through the awareness of each and every Filipino will we be able to significantly bring down, if not eliminate, fire-related incidents in the country.

This is also the reason why BFP’s theme for this year, “sa pag-iwas sa sunog, hindi ka nag-iisa”, embodies the value of taking part to create a community that is safe from fire. 

According to the BFP, the top three causes of fires are electrical connections, lighted cigarettes, and open flames – which everyone of us are exposed to on a daily basis. Having full knowledge about fire hazards can not only spare us from damaged properties, but also prevent life-threatening situations.

Beyond keeping the lights on, Meralco – as the country’s largest electricity distributor – joins the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the BFP in keeping the fires out through their fire safety programs, which are even more crucial now that we’re starting to adapt to the new normal. The company teamed up with the BFP to discuss electrical safety at the agency’s Mobile Business One-Stop Shop Plus (MBOSS+) located in select malls in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. 

One important point we all need to know- we don’t need any grand act to keep our properties and the people around us safe. It is as simple as identifying hazards on things we usually oversee, like electrical connections.  

Another simple advice to remember: Do to improvise on electrical fuses and have a licensed electrical practitioner to inspect and repair electrical wirings or fuse box in case of emergencies. It is also important to do an annual check of electrical wirings, since loose and overloaded electrical connection has been the number one cause of fires in the country since 2011. 

Other practical safety practices include unplugging appliances when not in use and avoiding overload of extension cords (octopus connections). Practicing good housekeeping by avoiding storage of piles of paper and other scraps, and storing flammable liquids and chemical in a cool and dry place can also prevent fires. 

It is also very important to avoid open flames – that means minimize use of candles. In 2017, candles started 107 fires in NCR alone. It’s best to use flashlights or solar lamps during power outages.  

Observe proper disposal of cigarette butts by soaking them in water before throwing away, and do not smoke indoors or anywhere near flammable materials. 

Building your own Fire Safety Plan for your own home is as important as observing safety measures. Discuss with your family an emergency evacuation plan for every room, and making sure doors and windows are not blocked. Practice the drill to ensure everyone in the house knows the plan and the meeting place outside the house. Fires can move and spread very fast. By creating and practicing an escape plan, you can save valuable time in the event of a fire knowing exactly how to act. It is always advisable to install a smoke or heat detector in our home.

Already caught in a fire-related situation? First aid will help address burns, which usually needs to cool under running water for at least 10 minutes. If the burn requires further medical care, loosely cover the burn with plastic wrap or a clean plastic bag. This helps prevent infection by keeping the area clean. It’s an ideal covering because it doesn’t stick to the burn and reduces pain by keeping air from the skin’s surface. Bring the injured person for urgent medical treatment. 

I lead the Organizational Safety and Business Continuity function of one of the country’s biggest utility company, and I make it my advocacy not only to promote safety in the workplace but also embrace safety as my way of life. It became almost automatic for me to identify and address safety hazards and communicate this to whoever I am with at the moment I discovered one.

I find this opportunity to write for The Philippine Business and News very important for this cause. I believe that by continuously talking about the importance of safety and making more and more people aware, we can cultivate a culture that promotes it – and in doing so, turn it into results by building a safer and more resilient community.  

For more fire safety tips, readers can visit: https://www.redcross.org.ph/press/news/philippine-red-cross-offers-first-aid-tips-for-burns