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MANILA - The Bureau of Fire Protection kicked off the annual Fire Prevention Month on Thursday, with 3,000 BFP personnel and fire volunteers participating in a unity dance, motorcade and emergency response simulation exercises.

March, one of the hottest months in the country, has been designated as Fire Prevention Month because most fire incidents happen in this period. A total of 14,000 fires happened in 2017 nationwide, killing 304 civilians and destroying P7.8 billion worth of property.

From January 1 to February 28 this year, the BFP has already recorded 1,758 fire incidents nationwide, resulting to the deaths of 22 individuals and the loss of over a P1 billion worth of property.

The top 3 causes of fire in the country are faulty electrical connections, lit cigarette butts, and open flames from unattended stoves, according to the BFP.

Authorities urged the public to put smoke alarms and fire extinguishers inside their homes while business establishments must have fire exits.