The Federal Fire Service has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety and addressing any emergency fire outbreak during the upcoming harmattan season. As climate-related incidents continue to surge in Nigeria, the Assistant Controller-General Zone F Lagos, Chika Njoku, affirmed their unwavering focus on safeguarding lives and properties.
Njoku, speaking at the commencement of a fire safety awareness campaign in Lagos, emphasized the prevalent surge in fire outbreaks during the Harmattan season, underscoring the vital need for precautionary measures. He highlighted the procurement of modern equipment as part of their preparedness to serve the populace effectively during this period.
“We are now in Ember months, the months that we experience a greater number of fire outbreaks. You can agree with me that since we entered these ember months, we have experienced numbers of fire incidents. Very soon, we will have harmattan. It’s a time we have dryness in the atmosphere, any little mistake, ignition will take place. There is need to get prepared so that we will be able to face this period squarely,” he explained.
Njoku proceeded to provide fire safety tips to empower the general public in mitigating the growing risks of fire outbreaks during the harmattan season. He urged everyone to refrain from unsafe practices and adhere strictly to the provided guidelines.
“During this period and beyond, we advise that;
- You should not buy and store petrol in your houses or offices.
- Avoid scooping petrol when a tanker falls because you may not be able to escape if ignition occurs.
- Don’t overload your electrical socket.
- Use competent electricians for electrical repairs.
- If you are cooking, stay nearby.
- Stop bush burning of all forms.
- Stop children from playing with matches or naked fire.
- Fire crackers like Knockouts should not be used anyhow.
- Have your firefighting equipment like fire extinguishers in your houses and cars and service them always,” he admonished.
The Assistant Controller-General also disclosed the statistics of fire outbreaks the command received and attended to from January to October. During this period, the Fire Service recorded twelve deaths in fire incidents and rescued one hundred and thirty-three persons from two hundred and sixteen fire incidents. The total property loss was estimated at twenty-three point one billion naira within the Zone F, encompassing Lagos and Ogun states.
Njoku further stated that property valued at four point seven billion naira was lost to fire within the zone, and one hundred and eighty individuals were rescued from various disasters during the same period.
