Be careful with combustible materials -Chief Fire Officer

Story: Lucy Adoma Yeboah
THE Chief Fire Officer, Mr Felix Kwame Ferkah, has cautioned Ghanaians to be extra careful when dealing with fire now that the country is facing severe dry weather conditions.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic , Mr Ferkah said, “We are in a period where the slightest mistake could cause us dearly so we need to be extra careful with how we handle combustible materials.”
He mentioned some items which must be handled carefully, especially as the harmattan season intensified, as all electrical appliances, especially water heaters and pressing irons, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookers and cylinders, petrol, welding equipment, candles, firewood, charcoal, lighted cigarettes and all naked fires.
A recent report by the Daily Graphic indicated that 25 people lost their lives, while 165 sustained injuries, as a result of burns they received during fire outbreaks last year.
It said the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), however, successfully responded to 2,301 fire outbreaks throughout the country, with an estimated loss of GH¢7.2 million to the victims, during the period.
According to Mr Ferkah, many people were usually caught unawares by fires because they believed that they were accustomed to some items, either in their homes or at their workplaces, and, therefore, knew how best to handle them without the necessary precaution.
Touching on combustible materials, he said the biggest threat usually came from LPG and advised that leakage on cylinders and tubes should be checked regularly.
Mr Ferkah said there was also the need for ventilation in kitchens and areas where gas cookers were kept for air to blow around in case there was leakage.
On electrical connections and appliances, he said wires that had been installed between 15 and 20 years should be replaced, adding that plugs should be removed from sockets when appliances are not in use, since power could still run through such plugs in some instances and ignite fire.
He also advised fitting shop operators, welders and other machine operators who dealt with combustible materials to be wary of how they handled their equipment, especially around areas of open fire, to protect property and human lives.
The Chief Fire Officer also touched on market women who used fire at the markets and also farmers who set fires on their farms and stated that there was the need for all to be cautious for their own good and the good of others.
Mr Ferkah also urged managers of public institutions and operators of public places such as hospitals, schools, manufacturing companies, cinema houses, restaurants, among others, to have some of their staff members trained as fire wardens and also put in place fire extinguishers and hydrants in case of any eventuality.
Quoting from Legislative Instrument (LI) 1724, the Chief Fire Officer said it was an offence for any public institution to operate without a clearance certificate from the GNFS.
He announced that fire fighting was free but took the opportunity to advise people who made calls to fire stations when there were no fires to desist from that behaviour, since that attitude did not augur well for both the public and the service.