Welcoming New Year with electrical safety tips

The Covid-19 pandemic became the turning point for Filipinos to significantly lower the number of injuries attributed to firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the turn of the new year.

But when restrictions started to loosen up, firecracker-related injuries likewise picked up. By the third day of the year, the Department of Health recorded 167 cases of firecracker-related injuries as the Philippines welcomed 2022. This was 39 percent higher than the total number of cases when the country was battling the Covid-19 pandemic peak in the holidays of 2020.

As Filipinos now prepare to welcome 2023, the Manila Electric Company released advisories reminding the public to exercise safety at all times to ensure a hazard-free New Year, especially as these firecrackers pose a huge threat to electrical facilities and cause fires and explosions.

To prevent power hazards, Meralco advised individuals using firecrackers to conduct such activities outdoors and ensure that buckets of water or fire extinguishers are available nearby in case the sparklers come in contact with flammable materials. It is also advisable to instruct each family member on how to use fire extinguishers.

When leaving home, always ensure that circuit breakers are turned off.

When adding Christmas lights to any facility, use only those with quality control markings and make sure to use the appropriate type for indoor and outdoor use. When installing more decorations, individuals are advised to first check these devices for loose connections and possible damages that could harm power lines.

One of the most common safety tips from Meralco is to avoid 'octopus' connections or jamming multiple wires into an outlet that might cause power overload and start a fire.

Extension cords must only be connected to main outlets and must not be stretched across a walkway and under the carpet where they can be stepped on.

Meralco also advised the public to ensure that power cords or lines are installed in safe, dry areas and those placed outdoors should be waterproof, to avoid electrocution.

Most importantly, a fire evacuation plan as well as emergency hotline numbers must always be ready in case of any emergency.

Throughout the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Meralco said its personnel will remain on standby to respond to any power -related emergency. Contingency measures are also in place should pyrotechnics, firecracker explosions, and even weather disturbances affect distribution facilities.

Although Meralco regularly upgrades and maintains its facilities to ensure that they are in tip-top condition, overhead lines are still vulnerable to firecracker explosions and pyrotechnics.

Restrictions may have eased, and we are now free to celebrate as we did pre-pandemic, but it is still best to practice safety measures at all times, as we celebrate and welcome the new year.