Fire service cautions against fires this harmattan

The Ghana National Fire Service has warned Ghanaians to exercise caution when using potentially inflammable devices in their homes especially during the  harmattan season.

The Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, Prince Anaglatey, told Citi News in an interview that fire outbreaks in the country in 2015 will significantly decrease if people improve their “safety culture.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”apcjvomKrLmr1iFAwkVXGgWSxo1qnqjS”]On Friday, a fire outbreak in Osu in Accra killed a six year old, while a 9 month old baby also sustained serious injuries in the process.

“Fires can be prevented; 90 percent of all fires can be prevented. What we should do is to just cultivate the safety culture. Everybody has to commit to it in everything that we do. Especially with the harmattan that has come,” Mr Anaglatey said.

He also urged people to “do a safety audit in our premises, look out for the old electrical gadgets and wires and replace them with the new ones.”

Following fire outbreaks in the capital Accra in recent weeks, including in Dome on Wednesday, the fire service has asked the public to be extra cautious when using their appliances at home.

“Let us desist from overloading our switches and sockets. If we are committed to all this, by ensuring that our gas cylinders are not within the kitchen where we cook. Once we have regular maintenance of our gas cylinders and other things, we will be able prevent some of these unfortunate situations that happen to us,” Mr. Analglatey added.

He called on parents and guardians to keep a better watch on their children who might be vulnerable in a blaze.

His comments come on the back of the death of a six-year-old girl in a fire at Osu after being trapped in a room on Friday.

A nine-month-old baby also sustained burns and is currently receiving treatment while two other children escaped unhurt. us also monitor the children that we have in our rooms.

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @eddiekkofi