March is Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A. The month sees several activities designed to raise fire prevention awareness and help reduce fire incidents, especially in tight, densely packed locales like those in Metro Manila.

But why March?

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), March often sees the highest number of fire incidents. The main reason is that the month usually marks the start of summer in the Philippines (culturally heralded by the Philippine Catholic Church’s commemoration of Ash Wednesday).

While summers in a tropical country are expected to be warm, the Philippines is getting warmer. In 2025, the country ranked third out of 51 Asian countries for “unusual heat.” With temperatures rising, several situations arise that become leading causes of fires in the Philippines during March.

Increased Electricity Use and Overloaded Wiring

Summer in the Philippines often brings a sharp rise in energy consumption. With the heat rising, many households and establishments increase the use of electric fans and air conditioners to cope with the heat. Aside from raising your electrical bill, all this activity puts more stress on the energy grid, leading to blown transformers and even power stations shutting down.

The greater fire threat comes from old electrical connections in homes that now have to carry heavier loads as residents turn on cooling appliances to stave off the heat. Many residential fires start this way: when electrical connections give out due to overload and sparks catch on something flammable nearby.

Dry Weather and Flammable Materials

Fire needs fuel. In the Philippines, many locales have highly flammable materials like wooden houses, stray pieces of paper (common in many businesses and schools), and improperly stored chemicals.

What makes these items an increased fire risk during March is the high heat, which creates drier conditions. With very little moisture due to less rainfall and moisture evaporating because of intense temperatures, a stray spark from an overloaded extension cord near a pile of clothes or paper, or a carelessly thrown cigarette butt, could easily cause a five-alarm fire minutes later, especially in densely populated areas.

Common Habits That Cause Fires

Certain common habits can easily lead to big blazes during a hot, dry summer, which is why all the awareness-building activities of Fire Prevention Month are important. BFP officials have consistently noted three key causes of fires in the country:

• Lighted cigarettes left unattended or carelessly thrown away
• Loose electrical connections
• Open flames from cooking

While these habits can cause fires at any time, they become particularly dangerous in March due to many materials being drier than usual due to the high heat. 

Imagine stepping outside for a few minutes to escape the heat of the kitchen, only to return and find the kitchen on fire due to an unattended open flame igniting dry wooden supports and paper wrappings from ingredients bought from the wet market.

More common is the habit of smokers casually flicking a cigarette stub, often without first making sure the lit end is dead. That still-smoking stub can easily land on a patch of sun-dried grass or set on fire the trash can you casually threw it into.

Preventing Fires and Strengthening Your Protection

While fires caused by Acts of God exist and are largely unpreventable when they happen, many causes of fire in the Philippines can be avoided by changing habits, ensuring flammable materials are secured, and critical home or business infrastructure is sound. These behavioral changes are, in fact, one of the key objectives of Fire Prevention Month.

You can also increase your protection from fires by getting the appropriate insurance policy for you, your loved ones, and even your properties and businesses. Typical property and business plans not only provide compensation for fire damage but also help make such assets more fire resistant through inspections and professional advice.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself from fires, Reliable Insurance Brokers is ready to help you choose the best policies that suit your budget and needs, whether for your health or for your properties. Contact us today.

Contact Information for Inquiries and Support

If you have any questions or need assistance with your insurance, feel free to reach out to us:

• Call: +63 2 8631 9285 to 86
• Mobile: +63 917 138 5120
• Email: info@reliable-insurance.ph
• Messenger: m.me/reliable.insurancebrokersph

Sources:

• Daily Tribune (2024, April 1), Fire Incidents Down Vs. Previous Year — BFP.
• Asia News Network (2026, March 13), Philippines Ranks 3rd Country In Asia For ‘Unusual Heat’.
• Cebu Daily News (2026, March 1), Explainer: Why is March PH’s Fire Prevention Month
• Rappler (2014, March 2), Why is March Fire Prevention Month?