MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Company (Meralco)’s operation crews will be on standby throughout the holiday season to ensure accident-free celebrations, the company said on Thursday.
Meralco also said it is ready to respond to any electricity service concern 24/7, even on Christmas day.
According to the company, only their Business Centers will be closed on declared holidays, particularly Dec. 25, 26, 30, and Jan. 1.
“We encourage our customers to practice electrical safety for a bright and accident-free holiday celebration,” Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said.
“Rest assured, contingency measures are in place and our crews are on standby ready to respond to any concern on our electricity service,” he added.
Meralco advised the public to prioritize safety to avoid any unwanted electricity-related incidents.
The following are the electrical safety tips the company provided for its customers:
- Use Christmas lights with quality control markings. Make sure to use the appropriate type for indoor and outdoor settings. For those who are re-using Christmas lights, check for cracked, frayed, or damaged lights since these are potential fire hazards.
- Avoid using nails and thumbtacks when installing Christmas lights. Using nails, thumbtacks, and wire staples can damage Christmas lights and create fire hazards. Use light hangers instead which are available in hardware and home stores.
- Avoid ‘octopus’ connections and overloading. Do not plug extension cords into one another or octopus connection. Overloaded electrical outlets or extension cords are one of the most common causes of fire incidents.
- Unplug Christmas lights and other appliances when not in use. Remember to unplug Christmas lights and other appliances when not in use or before leaving the house.
- Have an available fire extinguisher at home. To ensure safety during the holiday season, have a working fire extinguisher ready at home in case of emergencies.
Meralco has 7.8 million customers, the company noted in its press release.