Fire safety alert rise during Tet as worship practices and routines intensify
As Lunar New Year approaches, Hanoi authorities and fire experts are urging residents to tighten fire safety measures amid increased incense burning, votive paper offerings and heavier electricity use.
THE HANOI TIMES — Fire prevention remains a priority for Hanoi residents during Tet (Lunar New Year), when incense burning, votive paper offerings and busy household routines heighten fire risks.
Hanoi firefighters check and prepare equipment on a fire engine, staying on duty throughout Tet to keep the capital safe. Photo: Lao Dong Thu Do Newspaper
Vu Viet Anh, a resident of Hoan Kiem Ward, said his family now burns votive paper only on key occasions such as Tet and death anniversaries.
Living in an apartment building, he uses designated metal furnaces to avoid fire hazards and disturbance to neighbors.
He said he must wait until ashes cool completely before leaving.
Nguyen Huy Hoang, from Tay Ho Ward, said he burns votive paper in a metal container and keeps water nearby to extinguish embers.
He arranges the family altar carefully, keeps flammable items away from incense and candles and reminds children to stay clear.
Data from the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security show 153 fires nationwide during last year’s nine-day Tet holiday.
The figure underscores ongoing risks tied to daily and spiritual practices.
Ancestor worship forms a core Tet tradition and votive paper offerings, made from flammable materials, raise fire hazards.
Phan Anh, a lecturer at the University of Fire Prevention and Fighting, said risks increase when people burn large quantities at once, especially near motorbikes or combustible items.
Leaving before ashes cool poses a common danger, he told The Hanoi Times.
“Ash can retain heat and reignite in the wind, so someone should stay until the fire is fully extinguished,” he said.
He urged residents to use metal burners in safe locations, keep distance from flames and supervise altars closely.
Families should keep altars tidy and store paper decorations away from incense burners to prevent stray sparks.
Higher electricity use during Tet also increases risk, said Bui Xuan Thai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fire and Rescue Association.
Many households run multiple high-power appliances, charge devices overnight and rely on aging wiring while pre-Tet stockpiling adds more flammable materials indoors, he said.
Thai advised residents to inspect wiring, replace damaged cables and install overload protection devices.
Flammable goods should remain organized and away from heat sources and escape routes must stay clear, the specialist said.
Homes combined with business operations require strict management of goods and exits to prevent fire spread, Thai added.
The Hanoi Department of Public Security have urged agencies and businesses to assign on-site personnel and equipment, strengthen safety communication and conduct regular inspections.
Night and holiday patrols help detect and contain incidents early. Local authorities continue promoting community fire safety models and drills to improve emergency coordination.
Officials stress strict control of open flames and electrical equipment, especially during incense and votive paper burning. Households should keep exits unobstructed and prepare basic firefighting tools.
At religious sites, authorities advise that incense and paper offerings take place only in designated, supervised areas.
