As Filipinos will be meeting year 2022 with revelries, power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has warned of firecracker-hazards on electric power lines and urged the public to avoid using festivity explosives near critical sensitive energy facilities.

“We would like to advise the public not to play with firecrackers and pyrotechnics near electric lines and transformers, as they may cause power interruptions and even result in accidents," Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga noted.

In cases that inescapable turn of events may come about, Meralco indicated that its emergency crew will be on “full alert to provide 24-hour assistance during the celebrations in welcoming the New Year.”

With that scale of preparations, the power firm emphasized “the move will ensure that (the company) will be able to respond to any power-related emergency, especially during New Year’s Eve.”

Meralco similarly guaranteed that “contingency measures are in place in case power facilities get affected by pyrotechnics, firecracker explosions or even weather disturbances.”

Zaldarriaga qualified though that while the power firm regularly maintains its facilities to ensure they are in efficient working conditions, “overhead lines are still vulnerable to firecracker explosions and pyrotechnics.”

With almost two years that Filipino families had been practically muted on social gatherings, it is expected that with the prevailing more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, the public will most likely strive for high-spirited celebrations this year, thus, the caution-reminders on what needs to be avoided while on merry-making.

On that score then, Meralco offered tips on how the public can safely celebrate media noche – and topping that is “staying clear from electrical facilities when using party items.”

The power firm also prompted revelers to “refrain from using party poppers and balloons near power lines as this may also cause power outages.”

It added that “when using fireworks to welcome the new year, it is important to keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby in case the fireworks accidentally come into contact with flammable materials.”

Further, for those who still have their Christmas decorations on display, Meralco pointed out it is advisable for them to avoid using ‘octopus connections’ or plugging extension cords into a single power outlet, “as this could overheat and result in fire and other accidents.”