Here are the tips on prevention and what you must do in case of a fire outbreak at your home or office
A fire safety expert, Debbie Windele has warned of possible increase in fire incidents in the country during Harmattan.
Speaking at the weekly e-Discourse organised by leading Pan-Africa forum, Platforms Africa, Windele, who is the Managing Director of Safety Experts Limited said the only way to reduce it is to practice a good Fire Safety Culture in homes and places of work.
Harmattan occurs between the end of November and the middle of March.
The season has always been associated with high risk of fire outbreak due to low humidity and dry air. Deaths are typically recorded during such fire outbreaks.
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“The Harmattan season comes with environmental challenges such as , dust, cold dusty air, dry skin and of course Fire incidents occur more this time of the year because of the dryness.
“When a small fire starts, it tends to spread very quickly. Human activities such as indiscriminate burning tends to aggravate fire during this season. If we must burn, it must be monitored,” Windele said at the event anchored by Accra, Ghana-based veteran journalist, Mr. Francis KOKUTSE.
She continued; “And in our homes, we must ensure that cooking is not left unattended, electrical appliances switched off when not in use, we should also reduce the dust gathering in our homes. Regular cleaning must be done.
“The only way to reduce it is to practice a good Fire Safety Culture in their homes and places of work among others.”
The expert who described Bush Fire as the major problem said regular pruning of bushes and trees , removal of weeds and racking of leaves will help in the prevention and reduction with any damage as a result of bush fires.
She said inadequate personnel and equipment are a major bane in the sector and urged government to invest in combating fire incidents.
“Africa leadership must invest in this area of public service so we can align with global standard on both firefighting personnel and equipments to enhance performance,” she said.
Speaking further, she said “continuous advocacy and sensitization are required on the part of the various arms of Government.
African Government should aim to build more Fire Stations, develop current staff, increase the current staff strength by recruiting and training more officers, provide them with decent work benefits so as to attract and retain the right people in the service,” she added.
Team Lead, Platforms Africa, Adeola Yusuf, called for more fire safety Consciousness among the government and people of Africa particularly during this Hammattan period.
“Platforms Africa is, through our weekly e-Discourse and many others, fast becoming a reference point in Africa. Our vision is to end misinformation, disinformation, mal-information in the World, starting from our continent. Our mission is to create and sustain cycles of informed Africans, and through the support and efforts of our resource persons, we shall continue to our best,” Yusuf said.
