MALOLOS CITY—The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is now on red alert while closely monitoring trade and use of pyrotechnics products with the New Year revelry drawing near.
It also advised parents not to allow children in playing with pyrotechnics even as it reminded New Year revellers to light similar products in safe places.
Fire Supt. Romeo Rillo, fire marshal of Bulacan, said BFP personnel in the province are now staying in their stations to address possible fire incidents that will be caused by firecrackers.
“We are now on red alert and ready to respond in case of fire,” he said.
Rillo said that they are closely monitoring sales of pyrotechnics products in Barangay Turo in Bocaue town, the known trading center of said products in the province.
He said that aside from deploying four fire trucks and two ambulances in Barangay Turo, BFP personnel continue to implement no smoking and no testing policies within the area.
He added that BFP will continue to disseminate information for the safe use of pyrotechnics products which will be highlighted by a nationwide motorcade on December 31.
Rillo also advised revellers to avoid liquor if they are to light firecrackers, while reminding parents to monitors and guide their children.
“Every year, victims of firecracker-related injuries are usually those who are drunk and children,” he said.
He also said that after lighting firecrackers, the hands should be washed as some chemical used in the manufacture of pyrotechnics products are poisonous.
Along with the said advice is a reminder to keep police and BFP numbers ready in order to immediately report explosions and other incidents.
With regards to pyro zones, he said the pyrotechnics users must coordinate with their village chief to determine safe places to light pyrotechnics products.
But he noted that it must be far from residential areas.
Rillo also reminded New Year revellers not to set on fire used tires during the New Year celebrations citing that it can cause harm to health.
With regards to pyrotechnics incidents in the province, he said that aside from an incident in Sta. Maria town last November 11, no other incident is reported.
The said incident came while Jaime Calaguas and his son Jason were cutting a bundle of firecracker wicks.
The bundle caught fire and caused an explosion and the Calaguases suffered third degree burns.
A fire incident was reported in Barangay Panasahan here on Christmas day. No one was reported injured.
