The Bureau of Fire Protection in Dumaguete City yesterday reiterated its warning against the irresponsible use of pyrotechnics, defective Christmas lights and overloaded power outlets.

Fire chief Arnulfo Sayson said Christmas lights that are sub-standard and left unattended for several hours, could start a fire. He said an electrician should be consulted on the proper use of Christmas lights.

Plugging several decorative lights in a single power outlet could lead to overload and cause short circuits, and exposed electrical wires and defective light bulbs can lead to electric shock, he added.

The public is also warned against the irresponsible use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Dumaguete city government has designated a portion of Real Street for vendors of firecrackers and other items during the holiday season.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas yesterday directed governors, mayors and barangay officials, to strictly enforce existing laws prohibiting the sale of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices that may cause injuries or death during the Yuletide season.

Roxas instructed the Philippine National Police and the BFP to conduct intensified joint inspections of manufacturing sites and warehouses to avoid disaster in stockpiling of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, in a press statement he issued.

Under Republic Act 7183, or an act regulating the sale, manufacture, use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, accredited manufacturers with business permits and licenses are allowed to produce “baby rockets”, “bawang”, “small trianggulo”, “pulling of strings”, “paper caps”, “el diablo”, “Judah's belt”, “sky rocket or kwitis”, and other types with limited explosive contents.

For pyrotechnics, those allowed are “mabuhay”, “Roman candle”, “trompillo”, “whistle device”, “butterfly”, “foundation”, “jumbo regular”, “luces”, “sparklers”, and all kinds of pyrotechnic “pailaw”.

Roxas instructed local officials to coordinate with the PNP and BFP to prevent the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of deadly firecrackers and pyrotechnics and devices, like the “atomic big”, “trianggulo”, “super lolo”, “giant whistle bomb” and other types of firecrackers with more than 0.2 gram, or more than 1/3 teaspoon of explosives.*JFP

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