MANILA (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Monday strongly reminded the public to continue to be careful and vigilant to avoid fires.

This is after recording an increase in the number of fire incidents in the country this summer season.

Based on the data released by the BFP, it was revealed that the recorded fires increased by almost 40 percent from April 1-26, 2023, compared to the same period last year.

According to the BFP, from only 953 fire incidents in April 2022, there were 1,332 recorded fires nationwide this April of the current year.

The BFP said the reasons for the hike in the number of fire incidents include the increase in electricity demand this summer that may be compromising the power lines. Likewise, the presence of dry leaves, grass, and garbage that are easily burned by the heat of the sun or wildfires or that smokes cigarettes.

In this regard, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, Jr. urged. local government units (LGUs) to conduct inspections and coordinate with local BFP offices to ensure proper compliance of establishments with the rules of Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines (FCP).

Abalos added, simple fire safety protocols such as unplugging appliances that are not in use; not leaving the stove open; regular inspection of the liquefied petroleum gas or LPG tank; and storing flammable items in a safe location, are just some of the effective ways to keep homes fire safe. (PIA-NCR)