By Mae Singuay

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod City is urging barangay officials to designate community firecracker zones for the New Year revelry.

“Dapat i-maintain gid kun diin ang firecracker zones, nga indi magpalupok bisan diin lang, kay basi amo pa ina ang tuna-an sang sunog sa aton komunidad,” BFP-Bacolod Fire Marshal, Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza said.

“Didto kita sa gin-designate nga firecracker zones kag community display areas kun gusto naton nga safe gid ang pagselebrar,” he added.

Jardeleza has also reminded residents to always be aware of fire safety practices.

He recommended to always check electrical installations, as most appliances overheat due to hot weather.

“Indi gid naton pagtugutan nga magtuhaw ang kalayo. Gani bantayan gid ang mga electrical installations,” Jardeleza said.

He encourages residents to avoid another fire incident as vulnerable individuals, such as senior citizens and children, will find it hard to escape the house when a fire strikes.

Meanwhile, Jardeleza said the city government is coordinating with BFP in monitoring the illegal selling of refilled butane canisters which reportedly caused a fire in Barangay 1.

Two ambulant vendors were reportedly injured after a butane canister refilled with liquefied petroleum gas exploded./MS, WDJ