The Ashanti Regional Fire Command has advised the public to adhere to basic fire safety principles to avert domestic and industrial fire outbreaks this harmattan season.
The season is characterized by rise in atmospheric temperature and low atmospheric moisture content which tends to make more fuels available to burn at the passage of any flammable front.
Records from the Ghana National Fire Service over the last decade show high incidents of fire outbreaks leading to loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods as well as environmental damages.
The Fire Service has cited carelessness, ignorance, negligence in the use of electricity, misuse of electronic gadgets, and ineffective handling of naked flame among the cause of the increasing trend of fire outbreaks.
A statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Command signed by ACFO Eboyin Gaddiel said the Command has rolled out intensive Public Fire Safety Education programmed which is aimed at schools, market centres, worship centres, places of work and communities of residence as well as farming communities
That, the statement explained, is aimed at minimising the rate of fire and related incidents in the region during this season.
As part of its mandate to prevent and manage undesired fires as well as to ensure public safety, the Service is educating the public to desist from misuse of electricity, use of leaking LPG cooking apparatus as well as poor handling and storage of flammables and combustibles that could easily result in a fire outbreak.
The public is also being urged to refrain from setting fires on farms and natural vegetations without control measures.
“People are also asked to desist from playing pranks with fire service emergency numbers and adhere to Basic Fire Safety principles,” the statement cautioned.
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