Averting fire disasters in Nigeria
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The rate of fire accidents in the country, where hundreds of lives and property worth billions of naira are lost annually to fire disasters, has become a subject of concern among the people. just some few days ago, about 65 shanties were gutted by fire in Ebutte Meta, Lagos State, followed by other fire incidents consuming billions of naira of commodities at Keffi Central Market of Nassarawa State, and Gamboru Market of Borno State. Catastrophic personal injury and devastating socio-economic and psychological damage arising from fire outbreaks would always remain a remarkable account to the victims.
In an estimate of 7,129 fire accidents, about 990 lives are lost annually in the country; while the United States fire Administration (USFA) statistical analysis showed that there were about 3,320 deaths and that 17, 000 fire-related injuries occurred in the year 2008.
Recently, following an effort to avert fire disasters across the country, a study conducted throughout the six geo-political zones by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Federal and States fire Service has revealed that several causes could have resulted to the various fire disasters in the country; and such include accidents and carelessness, faulty wiring, reckless use of electrical appliances and heating gadgets, unattended stove and gases, children playing with matches among other causes.
In view of this, the Agency has recommended several useful guides through its programme on Disaster Risks Reduction to prevent individual from fire disasters in the country. in this case individuals are advised to avoid smoking in bed, and ensure that he douses his cigarettes in water before disposal so that they will not re-ignite. Smoking is one of the common causes of fire outbreaks in homes, offices including public domains. Several disastrous fire occurrences have resulted from re-ignited discard cigarettes that are not properly extinguished.
Besides, early detection of fire is a very crucial step in fire protection and this should be ensured through individual alertness, volunteer system and automatic fire detection systems. A smoke detector is a device that detects smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Mass residential devices can be installed in industry, commercial complexes to issue a signal on fire alarm system; while household detectors, known as smoke alarms can be set up in homes to generally issue a local audible and visual alarm on anticipated fire.
In the markets, Safety Awareness Task Force can be inaugurated to carry out general and constant survey of the entire market areas during and after the daily activities. Also, there is a need for the heads of the markets in collaboration with the established force to draft the rules guiding the use of electrical gargets and unauthorized diversion of electricity must be disallowed; while failure to observe these will result to sanction if not banishment.
Kitchen is known to be more prone to fire outbreaks; and it is advisable never to leave cooking pots and pans unattended even for a short while, as many leave the kitchen when something is still cooking; and this has accidentally resulted to fire eruption. therefore, ensure that the gas tank, ovens, and stoves are shut off so that food won’t be burnt and the flammable gas won’t leak.
Never leave burning candles unattended, and avoid placing them near air vent, plastic, carpet or windows where they can be knocked down by wind. keep candles, matches, lighters and other flammable materials out of children’s reach. in a study conducted by United States Burn Awareness Coalition, it has been discovered that matches and lighters in hands of children have resulted to burns which constitute the major cause of accidental deaths in children under the age of two; while fire and burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental deaths among children between age 1 to 4 years, and the third leading cause of injury and death between age 1 to 18 years. so,
Electrical appliances are other reasons for fire outbreaks. Remember to turn off and unplug your electrical appliance after use; and avoid placing them near sources of heating like the store, fire place, or furnace. an Indian safety expert, Srinivas Katta (2011) identified such electrical conditions that can be fire hazards to include damaged electrical conductors, overloaded sockets and extension cords, faulty wirings, blown fuses, low quality electrical equipment, malfunction of electrical devices, loose electrical connections, and lack of clearance between electrical heating devices and combustible materials.
Install at the strategic places, standardized fire extinguishers in home, office and public auditorium. Avoid using wrong fire extinguishers; and learn how to use it. mostly, fires are extinguished by water or sand. Special foam chemicals are used in case of oil fire; electric fires are extinguished by switching off electricity and using carbon-di-oxide to extinguish the fire. Forest fires can be extinguished by beating the burning bushes using handtools and by cutting a strip through forest to prevent fire from spreading.
Furthermore, create an effective fire escape route; and teach your family how to use this in case of emergency. This is because in a fire outbreak, it is very easy to become disoriented by smoke, flames and darkness; while If you and your family have planned and practised your escape route, you will be better prepared ahead of a situation when you have to escape a fire in your home. This should be designed in such a way that any person confronted by fire anywhere in the building can turn away from it and escape to a place totally safe from the building.
Jimoh, a member of NYSC in Abuja, writes vide This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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