BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 6 reminds the public to be discerning in their choice of Christmas lights for the upcoming Christmas season.
According to BFP-6 regional director, Fire Chief Supt. Jerry Candido, buyers and consumers should make sure that the Christmas lights they are buying have the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark which ensures the quality of the products.
The ICC mark is also a validating seal that the item has complied with the National Standard Law.
Candido said that cheap or substandard decorating lights are not compliant with safety standards and may pose danger to the buyers’ health and safety.
He also advised the public to have safety measures in place for electric wires to avoid possible fire at home.
He said Christmas lights should not be lit all night long and should be turned off when going to sleep to avoid untoward incidents.
The BFP-6 regional director added that it is better to place the Christmas lights on the lantern or on the cement wall, and if possible, have a separate circuit breaker.
This warning stemmed from a fire incident that broke out in Dumangas, Iloilo where two siblings were killed. BFP-Dumangas suspected the fire to be electrical in nature./PN
