Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection distribute flyers on fire safety tips in Carasi, Ilocos Norte on Dec. 26, 2024. The BFP has been under Code Red alert since Dec. 23, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2025. (Photo courtesy of BFP Region 1)
LAOAG CITY—The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is urging the public to use alternative sound-making devices, such as horns or pot lid bangers, to greet the new year.
The bureau is on Code Red from Dec. 23, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025.
“Our fire trucks are making rounds every day to remind the public about fire safety tips,” fire officer Franklin Calica of the BFP-Ilocos Sur provincial headquarters said.
As part of BFP’s “Oplan Paalala: Iwas Paputok,” Calica hoped for another year of zero firecracker-related incidents this year.
He added that to avoid fires in houses caused by firecrackers, residents could prepare fire extinguishers or pails of water for immediate use in case of fire.
Households with “anahaw” (palm leaves) roofing are also advised to wet the roofing an hour before the New Year’s revelry in case a lighted firecracker falls on the roof.
In Ilocos Norte, BFP personnel have continuously inspected firecracker vendors to confiscate illegal fireworks, check their sales permits, and ensure they have emergency fire extinguishers in their stores.
Prohibited firecrackers include watusi or dancing firecracker, piccolo, pop pop, Super Lolo, boga, big Judah’s belt, Goodbye Philippines, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, pillbox, Big Bawang, kwiton, kabasi, Atomic Bomb, five stars, pla-pla, og, giant whistle bomb, and unlabeled firecrackers.
As per Republic Act No. 7183 or the law on pyrotechnic devices, persons caught manufacturing, selling, distributing, and purchasing illegal firecrackers may be imprisoned for six months to a year and fined from P20,000 to P30,000. (PNA)