Common Causes of Fire in the Philippines
Common Causes of Fire in the Philippines and 8 Ways to Prevent It
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Unattended cooking
- Defective/old electrical appliances
- Gadgets plugged unattended
- Water leaking into your wirings
- Unattended candles
- Flammable liquids and materials
Eight Ways to Prevent Fires at Home
- Regularly check and repair electrical systems
- Never leave cooking appliances unattended
- Check roof and walls for water leaks
- Never leave gadgets unattended
- Properly store flammable materials
- Install fire extinguishers and smoke alarms
- Clear potential fire hazards regularly
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets
You might be living with fire hazards around your home and you don’t even know it. Are you leaving phones or gadgets plugged in on your bed? Do you have water leaks that can damage your wiring? The list goes on and on.
The disturbing thing is that, based on a study in the Philippines, most fires occur between midnight and 3 AM, when we are least aware.
While 60% of all household fires here originate in the kitchen, fire hazards lie concealed all around us—such as old or defective appliances, extension cords, wiring on walls/ceilings, gadgets left unattended, water leaks, or even flammable liquid stored close to heat.
There are, however, simple steps that any one of us can take for improved fire prevention and protection.
This article will help you identify the most common household fire causes and provide easy prevention methods. You will also learn a couple of additional tips on emergency readiness such as installation of smoke alarms and preparation of fast exits with your family.
Key Takeaways
- Most domestic fires in the Philippines originate in the kitchen. Approximately 60% of such fires are due to cooking mishaps or unattended stoves.
- Defective electrical wiring is another primary reason. Signs include flickering lights, tripped circuit breakers, and burning outlets. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) advises annual inspections by certified electricians.
- Keeping gadgets plugged overnight or unattended can also be a source of fire.
- Keeping inflammable liquids such as gasoline or LPG tanks close to heat promotes fire hazards, particularly in dry season. Use safe storage containers and keep chemicals away from stoves and heaters.
- Water leaks can cause a short circuit which in turn, generate heat and start a fire.
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers can save lives. Make installations in kitchens, bedrooms, and corridors. Check both monthly to make sure they work.
- Teaching your family about fire safety lowers risks. Practice a fire escape plan together twice a year, as BFP suggests, so everyone knows what to do if danger strikes.
Common Causes of Fire in the Philippines
Many house fires start because of problems with electrical cables, cooking accidents, or other simple mistakes at home. Understanding common fire dangers enables you to identify potential risks and enhance fire safety for your loved ones.
Faulty electrical wiring
Defective electrical wiring is among the primary causes of Philippine house fires. Flickering or dim light, blown fuses on a regular basis, and often-tripping circuit breakers are indicative signs.
Needing to unplug appliances just to use others, or heavy use of extension cords, points to unsafe electrical installations. Old or damaged wires can spark and set fire to combustible materials.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) urges everyone to get regular checks by a licensed electrician. Many fire incidents happen during dry season because loose cables overheat faster in hot weather.
Inspection by a licensed electrician is also important because rodents can chew on your wiring, exposing it and becoming a source of sparks. Burned outlets or strange burning smells signal big risks—never ignore them. For improved fire safety in the home, always repair defective wiring immediately and keep your electrical equipment up to date.
If you hear rodents running on your ceiling, have it checked by pest control specialists to stop and prevent damaging your wiring.
Unattended cooking
Right after faulty electrical wiring, unattended cooking stands out as a major fire hazard at home. The kitchen is the starting point for about 60% of house fires in the Philippines.
Cooking accidents often happen fast—sometimes in just seconds—when someone steps away from the stove or oven.
Defective/old electrical appliances
Defective electrical appliances can start house fires. Frayed or loose cords, old plugs, and broken switches pose real risks. Plugging many devices into one extension cord leads to overheating and sparks.
Placing wires under rugs or furniture hides damage and makes it hard to spot fire hazards early.
DIY repairs often make things worse—ask a licensed electrician instead. Always unplug appliances not in use, especially during dry season when fire incidents rise fast. Replace damaged cords right away to stay safe at home.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) warns that faulty wiring in electric fans or space heaters often causes kitchen fires. Teach your family about these dangers as part of good fire safety habits.
Gadgets plugged unattended
There have been several cases wherein plugged gadgets that were left unattended caused fire.
Take the case of an incident in September 2013, when a 25-year-old man perished in a fire after the laptop resting on the bed overheated. The laptop overheated because its cooling fan did not get enough air to cool. The victim did not even have a chance to escape as he already died due to the carbon monoxide coming from the burning laptop.
In September 2014 in UK, another family lost their home and all their possessions when a laptop was left on the bed, the charger overheated and caused the fire.
A more recent incident took place in June 2024, wherein a laptop caused fire when a teenager placed her laptop on the bed. When its battery overheated, the laptop just burst into flames.
Then another similar incident in July 2024 in Rankin Inlet wherein the laptop left on the bed while updating, overheated, and burst into flames.
Mobile phones left charging or chargers themselves, even without a mobile device attached to them and left unattended, are also fire hazards. Take the incident in December 2022 when the phone’s charger overheated and caused a fire, which quickly engulfed the bedroom.
Water leaking onto your wirings
Water leaks can cause fires especially when they are near electrical wiring. Water can cause short circuits which generate heat and start a fire, particularly when near flammable materials like wood. Water can also cause electrical components to overload or malfunction, thereby causing to ignite/start a fire.
Unattended candles
Leaving candles burning in empty rooms causes many house fires. In the Philippines, even small flames easily ignite flammable materials such as curtains, pieces of paper and plastic wraps.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) cautions that candles left unattended are a primary fire risk, particularly during brownouts or fiestas.
Placing candles near bedsheets or wood makes things worse—fires start fast this way. Never walk away while a candle is lit, and do not let children play near them. Using smoke alarms helps alert families if something goes wrong.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach to prevent kitchen fires, too. Every home should keep fire extinguishers ready for emergency situations caused by forgotten flames.
Flammable liquids and materials
Gasoline, paint thinners, and cleaning solvents catch fire easily. These flammable materials can turn into big fire hazards if stored the wrong way. Fuels, chemicals, and solvents must go in approved containers—never plastic bottles or open buckets.
These types of liquids expand and evaporate easily, so when there is an open flame nearby, they can catch fire quickly. Always keep these away from heat sources like stoves. Keep them in cool locations with air circulation to reduce the risk.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders should be placed outdoors or in a well-ventilated area—never indoors or near fire. Space heaters require special caution; keep them away from curtains, paper, and bedding to prevent house fires.
Statistics show many home fires start because of flammables kept close to ignition points during the dry season in the Philippines. Following safe storage rules helps prevent tragic fire incidents at home.
Eight Ways to Prevent Fire at Home
Simple steps help stop house fires—keep reading to discover how fire alarms, emergency kits, and safe LPG use can protect your family.Regularly check and repair electrical systems
Faulty electrical wiring is a top cause of house fires in the Philippines. Electrical inspections by licensed electricians help spot danger early—frayed wires, old outlets, broken switches or overloaded extension cords.
Experts recommend getting your home’s electrical systems checked at least once a year, not only to check the integrity of your wiring but also to make sure that your system is sufficient for your appliance load.
Pay close attention to old homes and buildings. Worn-out wiring and loose sockets can start sparks. Replace any broken outlets or wiring and utilize certified appliances only.
Do not overload outlets by plugging several appliances as a safety hazard that occurs more often than needed.
Finally, rat infestation can also be a fire hazard when they chew on your wiring.
Fire safety starts with careful checks—regular repair means a lower risk of fire incidents for your family.
Never leave cooking appliances unattended
Stay in the kitchen while you cook or broil. Kitchen fires can start fast, often within seconds. Leaving pots or frying pans alone—even for a short time—can cause house fires.
Unattended cooking tops the list of common causes of home fires reported by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Use smoke alarms near your kitchen to detect early signs of danger.
Keep kids away from scorching stoves and never neglect to switch off the gas tank, not just the burners after cooking. These are small measures that minimize fire risks and prevent domestic crises.
Fire safety starts with keeping watch over your appliances, no matter how quick you think you’ll be.
Check your roof and walls for water leaks
Having water leaks checked will eliminate one cause of fire since water leaks can cause a short circuit or an electrical component to malfunction or overload.
Find roofing contractors in your area if you have water leaks.
Never leave gadgets or appliances unattended
Never leave your mobile phones or laptops charging while you are asleep, or away from them, or when you leave the house.
Do not leave them on top of flammable materials like beds, couches or pile of clothes.
Check for wear and tear of your chargers. Replace them immediately. Make sure you use original chargers as fake chargers have been a cause of fire.
Better still check your chargers to ensure that they pass the safety standards test by having the UL logo, which stands for UnderWriters’ Laboratories. This is a mark that the product has been tested and is certified to pass safety standards.
Check with mobile/gadgets supplier to get only genuine certified chargers.
Properly store and handle flammable materials
After turning off the stove and checking on your cooking, focus next on flammable materials at home. Household chemicals, solvents, and fuels can be sources of fire if they are left in unsafe locations.
Keep these materials in approved containers. Place them in metal or heavy plastic cans with tight-fitting lids. Keep them in cool, well-ventilated locations—never in heat-producing areas such as a gas range or space heater.
Position paints, LPG cylinders, and other chemicals out of reach of children. Clean up liquids that spill immediately to avoid kitchen fires or fire accidents elsewhere.
Interesting read: Common Road Accidents in the Philippines
Install fire extinguishers and smoke alarms
Storage of flammable liquids prevents fires, but warning devices provide additional safety. We cannot be alert 24/7 but smoke alarms will give us early warnings when we are least aware.
Smoke alarms respond quickly to smoke and warn your family instantly. Place these alarms in the bedrooms, hallways, and kitchen to provide enhanced protection in your home.
Have a fire detection and alarm system installed for your peace of mind.
Install carbon monoxide detectors as well, as gas leaks are silent but lethal.
Install fire extinguishers where fires might occur—e.g., in the kitchen or around extension cords. Select units designed for house fires. The Bureau of Fire Protection recommends examining these materials on a monthly basis to maintain their good performance.
Ensure that all members of the household understand how to use a fire extinguisher properly before an emergency ever arises. This ensures that everyone is prepared in case a fire erupts during the dry season or at night.
Clear potential fire hazards regularly
After setting up a fire escape plan, keep your home safe by removing fire hazards often. Inspect the house for flammable debris—like dry leaves or paper—especially outside.
Make sure gas leaks are fixed fast and store flammable materials safely out of reach of children or pets. Regular checks help prevent major fire incidents at home before they start.
Do not burn leaves near flammable materials or parked vehicles. In an intense summer heat, flammable gases evaporate, even from cars, and can cause fire.
Avoid overloading electrical outlets
Having too many plugs on one outlet may lead to house fires. Using multiple appliances, such as kitchen appliances and space heaters, plugged into an extension cord or power strip causes an overload in the circuit.
In 2022, Philippine fire incidents increased by more than 13%—most due to defective wiring and overloaded plugs.
Use surge protectors to provide additional protection against power surges. Do not run cords under rugs or behind furniture, as this traps heat. Fire departments advise keeping only one major appliance per wall socket to lower house fire risks.
Following these fire safety tips will help prevent electrical hazards and keep your family safe during dry season and all year round.
Additional Safety Tips:
Ensure every room has an escape path
House fires can turn deadly fast. In just 5 minutes, flames may engulf a whole house. Safe escape sometimes takes less than 2 minutes.
Sadly, many houses in the Philippines have iron grills that don’t have an exit. This could be a trap with no means of escape. Ensure that there are clear exits for all rooms. If your grills make your house a fire trap, time to have this changed by window and door grill fabricators in your area.
Practice crawling to safety
Smoke rises easily in a burning room, so teach everyone to crawl low under smoke, to minimize its inhalation. The truth of the matter is, many perish during a fire because of the inhaled smoke, not the fire itself.
Check door knobs for heat before entering a room and use shortcuts like windows only if safe.
Conclusion
House fires remain a real threat in the Philippines, with kitchen mishaps and bad electrical systems leading the list. Checking wiring, water leaks, never leaving gadgets, stoves or candles burning alone, and storing flammable liquids safely—all help cut fire risks fast.