From Molete incident to Gbagi market and now Akesan market, not less than 5 fire incidents have ravaged homes, shops and businesses in Oyo state in few days, largely as a result of the current Harmattan season.
The ravaging effects of the fire outbreaks have been seen in the destruction of properties worth billions of naira, varying degrees of injuries and lost of lives.
The Oyo State Police Command had earlier urged resident to be alert over rising cases of fire incidents in the State and advice citizens to be wary of these recent occurrences and the need to put stringent measures in place to forestall future occurrence especially during this harmattan season.
ALSO READ: Oyo State urge resident to be alert over rising cases of fire incidents
The recent at Akesan Market burnt down most of the shops at the ancient’s town. Akesanis the main market of the people of Oyo.
InsideOyo.com looks at the menace and bringso to you, tips on how to prevent fire outbreaks:
1. SWITCH OFF appliances: Be cautious of electrical appliances and points
People have to be safety-conscious by ensuring that they switch off all electrical appliances and points in their homes before they go out. They should also ensure to unplug these appliances from the points to avoid surge current.
Care must be taken to avoid overloading of electrical appliances on the same fuse and improper electrical installation in homes can be risky and can cause a fire outbreak.
2. Patronise professionals for your electrical works
Contact a professional to fix intensive electrical jobs in your home while you can handle Small jobs, such as swapping out a light bulb.
Do not try to cut cost by carrying out such works yourself.
3. Don’t store petrol and other inflammable materials at homes
Causes of fire outbreaks during the harmattan seasons have been traced to the hoarding of petrol in homes by Nigerians to beat perceived shortages during this season.
Government at all level have warned against the storage of petrol and other inflammable materials like gas, wood, alcohol should also be put away from our homes, offices, shops that could aid fire outbreak.
For those using generators, they should ensure their generators are not refuelled while working and the generators are to be kept outside to avoid flumes.
ALSO READ: Makinde Sympathises With Victims Of Akesan Market Inferno, Promises To Investigate
4. Stay alert while cooking
Adequate care should be taken while cooking in the kitchen. You should always stay in the kitchen to keep an eye on what you are cooking. Don’t wander off to check your phone or anything else. Also, when cooking, don’t leave hand towels, curtains and other flammable items too close to flames.
While cooking, pay attention to what you wear. Make sure your clothing is not loose. Keep it short and fitted to avoid setting your sleeve on fire.
Gas cylinders are to be placed outside, far from the heat in the kitchen. Furthermore, endeavor to know the expiring date of your cooking gas cylinder.
5. Avoid incessant bush and waste burning
Bush and solid waste burning, especially in rural communities, have also been identified as major causes of fire outbreak at homes. As our environment becomes dusty and hazy with dryness to everything, including trees, wooden items, leaves and furniture, dry winds can escalate the fire out of proportion and consume the homes.
People are hereby urged to be mindful of bush and solid waste burning during the harmattan period and ensure that the fires do not spread to nearby buildings or other property around.
6. Buy a fire extinguisher at home
People should ensure that they have fire extinguishers in their homes to put out fires if they ever have an incident to protect their lives and the lives of those around them.
To avoid running around the house in a panic looking for a fire extinguisher, it is advisable to keep them in these essential places like the kitchen, near sources of heat, bedrooms, garage and workshop etc.
7. Take Insurance cover for your business
Nigerians are advised to embrace the culture of subscribing to insurance, indemnities that cover their homes and properties.
Pass this message across to avoid fire outbreaks during the harmattan period and intimate them on the dangers of careless handling of highly inflammable materials.
