Phil. Daily Inquirer, Dec. 10, 2005
USE only quality Christmas lights and turn them off before you go to bed. Don’t put up too many lights or this might cause an electrical overload. Never play with firecrackers inside the house.
These were some of the safety reminders Southern District Fire Marshal Sofia Mendoza had for the public to ensure a fire-free Christmas.
Mendoza said substandard Christmas lights should not be on anyone’s shopping list this year as these are one of the major causes of fires during the holiday season.
This was echoed by Chief Insp. Mauricio Ramos of the fire district’s public information service. “One must buy Christmas lights that are of good quality because those that are poorly made are a fire hazard,” he told the Inquirer.
Look for seal of quality
To be safe, buyers should look for the seal showing that the product has passed Department of Trade and Industry standards, Mendoza said.
He reminded the public not to leave their lights on overnight and to keep them away from combustible materials to prevent overheating.
Meanwhile, Ramos asked the public not to buy firecrackers this holiday season. But if it cannot be avoided, go for firecrackers of high quality, he said.
Parents should tell their children not to play with matches and firecrackers, especially inside the house, he added.
According to the fire district, 327 fires which were reported last year in the southern part of the metropolis were due to electrical problems while 18 were caused by firecrackers.
