The Bureau of Fire Protection is under 'Code Red Alert' with all personnel who are prevented from taking a leave of absence to make sure the bureau is in full force, ready to respond to emergency cases until the new year.

BFP Spokesperson Fire Support Annalee Atienza said this is aside from their constant warning to the public to refrain from using firecrackers to greet the new year.

Atienza revealed continuous fire prevention activities where the BFP personnel are on tap to conduct the increased level of fire prevention awareness in the community with roving fire truck visibility, inspection of manufacturers and sellers of firecrackers, and road shows in malls conducted with the mascot 'Berong Bombero.'

With the increased roving fire truck visibility, the BFP reminds the people through its public address system especially in bus terminals and crowded places to strictly observe the fire safety tips courtesy of the orange-clad BFP personnel.

Atienza asserted that, at some point, the orange-uniformed BFP personnel, often referred to as 'ponkan' inculcates the public's mindsets to adhere to the fire safety prevention regulations.

She hoped that the downtrend of fire incidents would continue with their intensified information campaign as their day showed that from 1 January to 26 December 2023, the BFP recorded a total of 15,679 fires. That is a 20.7 percent increase from the same period in 2022 when there were over 12,000 fire incidents.

Of the said incidents, 24 fire incidents were due to firecracker use compared to the 28 cases during the same period in the previous year.

"The majority of these fires are residential. This year, from 1 January to 26 December, we have already had 24 fire incidents related to firecrackers. Compared to last year, 1 January to 26 December of 2022, 28 incidents were recorded," she said.

"The red alert status means all BFP personnel are on standby to respond in case we are needed for emergencies. No leaves are allowed during this time because the BFP needs to be at full strength during this period," she added.

Over the years, Atienza noted that electric appliances are added and new household members reside in the residents where most of the time electrical lines and the capacity are overlooked and not checked.

The BFP official cited that electrical ignition arcing, electrical ignition caused by a loose connection, and smoking or lighted cigarettes are major causes of fire incidents.

Electrical arcing is when electricity jumps from one connection to another and if the electrical wires are worn-out, hardened, or peeled by house pests that may cause fire, according to Atienza.

She pointed out that the use of electrical appliances like flat irons for many years may loosen the plugs and is a fire hazard similar to cigarette smoking.