Fire Senior Inspector Leslie Ann Ramos of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-National Capital Region highlighted the importance of fire safety awareness and preparedness as the country observes Fire Prevention Month this March.

Ramos, Station 4 Commander of District 1, explained that Fire Prevention Month serves as a campaign period to raise nationwide fire awareness.

She emphasized that it provides the bureau an opportunity to educate the public on safety, prevention, and preparedness.

The campaign is held every March due to the onset of hot and dry weather conditions, which increase fire risks. The theme for 2025 remains the same as last year: “Sa Pag-iwas ng Sunog, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa”, reinforcing the collective responsibility of fire prevention.

Fire Incidents and Common Causes

While fire cases tend to decrease in March due to heightened awareness, Ramos noted that fire incidents still rise in extremely hot areas due to increased electricity consumption.

For the first quarter of 2024, there were 100 structural fires, 106 non-structural fires, and six vehicular fires. From January to the present in 2025, the recorded incidents include 30 structural, 31 non-structural, and one vehicular fire, totaling 62 cases.

Among the leading causes of fires in the country are faulty electrical connections due to outdated wiring, improper installations, and overloaded circuits. Unattended open flames from cooking or candles have also been a major concern.

To enhance community engagement and fire safety education in Metro Manila, the BFP is conducting various activities, including regional kick-off events, community fire protection planning workshops, and intensified quad media campaigns.

Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan on the Road aims to increase the visibility of fire trucks in communities, reminding residents about fire prevention and safety tips through public announcements. Another major initiative is the 4th Nationwide Fire Drill for High-Density Occupancies, scheduled for 4 March 2025, to assess readiness in case of a fire emergency.

Ramos emphasized that fire drills should be conducted quarterly, or at least four times a year, to test fire safety equipment and ensure people know exit routes and evacuation areas.

She also advised the public to regularly check household wiring and avoid overloading circuits and encouraged households to invest in fire extinguishers if financially feasible. She reminded everyone to save the contact number of the nearest fire station to ensure a quick response in case of emergencies.