New Town residents briefed on fire safety

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 

Personnel of the GNFS engage in discussion with the traders 

The Tema New Town District Command of the Ghana Fire Service have embarked on a programme to educate market women of the New Town main market on fire prevention.

The fire personnel, led by the District Fire Commander, Divisional Officer III, Ms Naomi Quarshie inspected electricity installations and other electrical appliances being used at the market.

Ms Quarshie and her team also advised to switch off all their electrical appliances before leaving for home, and cautioned food sellers to ensure that they put off their fires before leaving for home.

The Fire Commander urged the women to engage competent electricians to fix their electricity installations to avert fire out breaks and urged them to acquire fire extinguishers.

SAFTEY EDUCATION

Later in an interview with the Daily Graphic, she said the safety education forms part of the proactive approaches adopted to prevent fires and added that apart from the markets, the District Office has also targeted house-to-house, public and radio education campaigns to sensitise inhabitant of the areas.

She disclosed that the station has already recorded 14 fire incidents within the first quarter of the year compared to 12 cases recorded within the same period last year and emphasized that the public education campaign was very timely as domestic fires continue to destroy lives and properties.

She noted that activities of fisher folks contribute largely to fire outbreaks, and warned traders against the improper storage of premix fuel and the illegal connection of electrical wires in the markets in access for power supply.

           

“We are here to protect lives and properties hence this activity. Some fisher folks here keep premix fuel in their homes or shops and this can cause fire when the fuel is exposed to naked fires. Some women also cook in the market and either forget or refuse to put out the fire. This can cause fire especially at night when no one is around to put it out at the initial stages”, she said.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

DOIII appealed to the residents to engage the services of professional electricians to handle electrical connections in their homes and markets.

She noted that as part of strategic measures in firefighting, prevention and control in the market, personnel will be deployed at night to patrol and ensure that fires are completely put off before the traders leave the market.

She added that fisher folks, will also taken educated on Tuesdays, which is a rest day for fishing on how to prevent fire through proper handling of premix fuels.