The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will bring its fire safety campaign directly to homes and barangays nationwide in March as it marks Fire Prevention Month, an annual observance aimed at reducing the number of blazes during the hot and dry season.

With the theme “Obligasyon sa Bayan Para sa Ligtas na Pamayanan,” BFP spokesperson Supt. Anthony Arroyo said this year’s campaign goes beyond the usual station-based lectures and inspections.

Arroyo said the program is a “much improved concept from previous years” as BFP personnel will visit houses down to the barangay level to strengthen safety measures at the grassroots.

Fire Prevention Month is observed every March by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A issued in 1966. The period coincides with the start of summer, when fire incidents historically spike due to rising temperatures and increased electricity consumption.

This year alone, the BFP said it has recorded 2,549 fire incidents from January up to the present and these were primarily caused by open flame, according to Arroyo. He also confirmed that last year’s data showed most fires occurred in residences due to electrical malfunctions.

“Our main concentration is the communities that lack the knowledge, which is why fire safety education, fire safety campaign, and our intensified quad-medial approach are regularly conducted. Open flame can easily be prevented, just do not leave cooking unattended. There is a need to be on guard and know what needs to be done in case of a kitchen fire,” Arroyo said.

Aside from fire safety education, the BFP will also establish community fire auxiliary groups in barangays nationwide. Arroyo said this will boost resiliency and preparedness in times of impending disasters.

“We have discovered numerous instances of illegal connections also in congested areas because certain locations do not have their own utility meters so they resort to illegal connections. That is what we have noticed specifically among the informal settlers which we consider as fire-prone areas where illegal connections cause fire incidents. Also, the use of substandard electrical appliances and electrical wires, among others are among the contributing factors,” Arroyo continued.

Arroyo said the campaign does not rest on the BFP alone, saying it is shared at the grassroots level and learning institutions to ensure every community is safe and no one is left behind in case of unforeseen disasters.

The BFP is also coordinating with local government units, barangay officials, and electrical utilities as part of the fire safety campaign. Arroyo said this partnership is vital in addressing illegal connections and the use of substandard electrical equipment in highly congested and fire-prone areas.

With the summer season approaching, Arroyo urged the public to remain vigilant and make sure safety measures are in place to prevent destructive fires.