Fire incidents in 2022 due to firecrackers higher compared to 2021 record —BFP

The number of fire incidents due to firecrackers this year is higher compared to the record in 2021, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Tuesday.

“Yung mga insidente naman related to firecrackers, explosion or fireworks mismo, for this year, 19 na po ang ating naitala, compared noong nakaraang taon ng same period nasa pito,” BFP spokesperson Fire Superintendent Annalee Carbajal-Atienza said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(As for the incidents related to firecrackers or fireworks for this year, we recorded 19 already, compared to last year of the same period which totaled seven.)

But, Atienza said the 13,029 total fire incidents from January 1 to December 26 this year is still lower compared to the 13,574 recorded in 2021 during the same period.

Meanwhile, the BFP spokesperson said 191 municipalities need fire trucks and their fire stations activated.

Atienza encouraged families to exercise “emergency drill in the home” (EDITH). She advised households to discuss ways to respond to possible fire incidents.

Families should talk about the location of fire extinguishers and fire exits as well as what to do in case of fire, she added.

Atienza also encouraged the public to watch instead the fireworks displays organized by their local government units and avoid using firecrackers in their residences to prevent fire incidents.

As alternative noisemakers during the New Year revelry, kitchen utensils may be used, she added. —KG, GMA Integrated News