THE country has recently experienced a number of house fires week after week since the beginning of the year, a trend that has become a major worry for the National Fire Authority.
The blame may shift from a member of the household to another or sometimes we blame firefighters for being late to the scene despite being notified earlier of a fire.
But the onus is always on us especially elders in a household and our responsibility of ensuring that our homes are safe and that everyone in the household understands the importance of fire safety.
In January alone this year, the NFA recorded a total of 17 property fires around the country.
This alone is a worrying trend because it happened week after week within the very first month of the year and they happened despite calls from the NFA to be aware of fire safety measures in our own homes.
Being a responsible homeowner means being aware of the risks involved with the use of fire ignition sources such as mosquito coils, candles, prayer diya as well as flammable liquids such as benzine, kerosine and other related materials.
The NFA, in its constant reminders to members of the public, has always stressed that flammable liquids must always be closed properly and put in a cupboard away from the reach of children, kitchen area, fire and heat sources to avoid a fire at home.
Candles and prayer diya, some of the very causes of property fires, must always be put out after use and never be left unattended.
A common sight in many of our homes are children playing with matches and lighters and adults seem to ignore the fact that these are the various causes of fire as experienced many times in the past.
Parents along with guardians are advised to ensure matches and lighters are stored in a locked cupboard or on a high shelf at home, out of the reach of children.
It is also important that young children are educated on the dos and don’ts in their homes and things they are not supposed to play with which may cause a fire.
While we may mourn the loss of properties or even loved ones in a fire, it is always very important to take into consideration the phrase “prevention is better than cure” because a fire spreads very quickly and when it happens, it maybe hard to control so it is our duty to ensure we do the right thing in our homes.
We are already into the second month of the year and two homeowners have lost their properties in two separate fire incidents in Waila, Nausori.
The question remains, are we carrying out our responsibility of ensuring our properties are kept safe from fire?
Are we doing enough to educate our families on the danger of property fires?
If this is not the case, it is about time we are serious with this business of educating all members of our household on fire safety at our homes. It can save your property and most importantly, it can save lives.
Here are some important fire safety tips in relation to fire ignition sources at home:
Candles
* Always place candles on a proper holder which should be metallic.
* Put out candles before leaving your house and before you go to bed. Never leave candles unattended.
* Keep candles out of children’s reach.
* Keep candles away from ribbons, greetings cards and other decorations.
* Keep candles away from curtains, clothes and other fabrics or furniture.
* Never leave candles out of your sight as you must always keep a watchful eye wherever the candle is placed and ensure that before going to bed the candle is properly extinguished.
Prayer diya
* Ensure that prayer diya are put out properly after prayer.
* Prayer diya must always be placed on a metal surface.
* Never leave a prayer diya unattended and put it out after the prayer ceremony
Cooking
* Don’t get distracted when cooking.
* Remember to check that the kerosene stove, gas stove, oven, open fire place, etc are turned off after cooking.
Flammable liquids and hazardous materials
* Limit the amount of chemicals stored at home. Dispose of or recycle household hazardous materials properly.
* Store hazardous materials in proper containers with tight-fitting lids and correct identification labels. Store hazardous materials away from the heat sources.
* Allow for proper ventilation when using flammable liquids and hazardous materials.
Good housekeeping
* All exits are to be kept clear at all times
* Store household items neatly.
* Store clothes and combustible materials neatly. Keep kitchen always clear and tidy.
* Install or store gas cylinders outside the building. Clean stove regularly.
