The year appears to have set off with fire outbreaks. It is not surprising though. The dry harmattan winds blowing across the country have rendered everything dry and therefore combustible.
Coupled with the aforementioned factors is the erratic electricity supply which is sometimes restored with a surge which has showed proclivity to destroy domestic gadgets and in rare cases starting fires.
While some would consider the fires at the early stages of the year portentous, we would want to be indifferent and blame it on the aforementioned factors.
Previous years have posted similar trends. Perhaps that is why some think there is something beyond the aforementioned factors. Be it as it may, we would still want to tread cautiously and ask that precautionary lessons be imbibed by all during this period of dry winds and power outages.
Fires as we all know, can be fatal and destructive. That is why all efforts must be brought to bear in obviating it or fighting it in the event that it breaks out.
In one of the fires which destroyed a substation belonging to GRidco in Aflao in the Volta Region, thousands of cedis have been lost to the state. The inconvenience which the fire has cost to consumers is unquantifiable.
The reason behind the outbreak is as laughable as it is irritating. Rat hunters set fire to a hole so the emanating smoke could drive out the rodents, but the fire went out of hand and destroyed the substation.
Similar incidents have occurred over the years in some parts of the country, suggesting that no lessons were learnt and we continue to commit the same blunders.
We are aware about the education component of the work of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and how this when implemented adequately and effectively, can go a long way in preventing fire outbreaks.
It is certainly unacceptable that people would set fire simply because they want to catch rodents. We implore the GNFS to intensify fire prevention lessons to Ghanaians, especially those vulnerable at this time of the year.
Regarding the surges in electricity supply, consumers should be encouraged to put off all electrical gadgets when leaving home during power outages.
We are also requesting for an enhanced response mechanism from the GNFS. The ability of the firefighters to respond to fire alarms is constantly hindered by certain factors, some of which are beyond them.
Not all persons know what to do when fires are detected let alone getting in touch with the GNFS. Continuous education is needed so that when there is fire people can know what to do before the arrival of fire tenders.
Fire hydrants are still not easily accessible by firefighters � a situation which compels fire tenders to drive long distances to replenish the exhausted water supply.
The foregone need urgent attention if we want to be able to contain fires and to even reduce their incidence during the harmattan season and beyond.
Source: editorial/daily guide
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