As part of its annual Fire Safety Week, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is raising awareness and educating the public on fire prevention. Station Officer (S.O.) 1 Emmanuel A.D. Cabo, from the Regional Education Unit, has highlighted that fire outbreaks often result from a combination of carelessness, ignorance, accidents, and criminal activity (arson).
“When we look at the causes of fire outbreaks, the main causes are: number one—carelessness, number two—ignorance, number three—accidents, and number four—arson,” he explained.
While accidental fires can occur, the GNFS is particularly concerned about those caused by negligence, such as leaving electrical devices plugged in overnight or placing candles on wooden surfaces near curtains. Mr. Cabo emphasized that arson—deliberate fire-setting—is a criminal act that will be met with legal consequences.
Speaking on A1 Radio, he noted that different types of fires have unique causes. For example, electrical fires often result from the improper use of electrical appliances, while gaseous fires stem from mishandling gas cylinders. A major concern, he pointed out, is the tendency for people to ignore fire safety rules related to gas and electrical appliances, increasing the risk of fire outbreaks.
“When you look at the causes of fires that I mentioned, they can fall under different types, such as electrical or gaseous fires,” he explained.
He urged the public to adopt simple preventive measures, such as unplugging electrical devices when not in use, especially during power outages, and avoiding charging phones overnight while sleeping.
“Some people think they should charge their phones as they sleep at night so that by morning, they’ll have a full charge. That is one of the major causes of fire outbreaks in some homes,” he warned. “If you follow fire prevention dos and don’ts, even if we don’t eliminate fire outbreaks completely, we will minimize them.”
Regarding fire safety in cooking, Mr. Cabo advised that gas cylinders and burners should be placed separately. Ideally, gas cylinders should be kept outside the kitchen, with a secure connection to the burner through a wall. He also stressed the importance of turning off the gas cylinder before switching off the burner.
“Lately, the fire outbreaks we are attending in the country are primarily caused by two things—gas and electricity. These are the main challenges,” he stated. “Some people, after cooking, turn off the burner before the cylinder. That’s wrong.”
He concluded by emphasizing that following fire safety guidelines can significantly reduce fire outbreaks in homes and local communities, ultimately protecting lives and property.
“If we practice these safety measures, I believe we’ll minimize fire outbreaks in our homes and communities.”
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
