Time to take fire safety measures

Hyderabad: Prevention is better than cure, so goes the age-old adage. And with the summer already set, it is time to take precautions to avert damage to property and loss of human lives attributed to fire mishaps. The fire officials point out that it is the time of the year when people should discard the […]

Hyderabad: Prevention is better than cure, so goes the age-old adage. And with the summer already set, it is time to take precautions to avert damage to property and loss of human lives attributed to fire mishaps.

The fire officials point out that it is the time of the year when people should discard the waste combustible material lying within and outside the houses. This apart, they should also check the electrical wiring, appliances, and switchboards.

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Regional Fire Officer, V Papaiah, said combustible material like paper, cloth, wood, paints, LPG cylinders, and plastic is usually stocked in buildings and it poses a higher risk. “It should be immediately disposed of to prevent the risk of fire in the premises. If someone carelessly discards a cigarette butt in the premises a fire will start unexpectedly,” he pointed out.

The official explained that many multi-storied buildings have a high ‘fire load’ – meaning a lot of wooden material in form of furniture, furnishings, and other inflammable material. “In such circumstances, the building should be well equipped with firefighting equipment, it should be in working condition and checked periodically,” Papaiah said.

Equipment like fire extinguishers, heat detectors, fire hydrant pipelines, and other equipment should be thoroughly examined and if needed, by taking the help of professionals, to avoid failure when they are needed the most. Periodic checking of the electrical switchboards/appliances in the buildings to prevent overheating and short circuits will help to a great extent.

“Generally, several appliances are plugged onto the same electrical outlet. This leads to heating up of the outlet and increasing the possibility of starting a fire. More often than not, electrical short-circuiting lead to a fire and feeds the inflammable materials stored nearby,” said the official.

Training of the security personnel in basic firefighting techniques is important as they play a vital role in containing the fire at the initial stage.

Moreover, it is important to keep the staircase free of blockages like dumping furniture, paper, or any other material to facilitate the quick exit of people in case of a fire.

Do’s and Dont’s for residential buildings:

Do’s

• Keep matches/lighters and crackers away from children.

• Use metal ashtrays while smoking and dispose off matches /used cigarettes in it.

• Papers, clothes, and flammable liquids should be kept away from heaters/stoves/open chullahs.

• Keep the escape routes/staircases free of any obstructions.

• Use only one electrical appliance in one socket.

• Switch off mains when you go on vacation

• Use 3 pin plug and heavily insulated cords for all movable electrical equipment.

• Keep LPG stoves on raised platform and well-ventilated place

• Turn off the cylinder valve and burner knob of the gas stove after cooking.

• Mount dry chemical extinguisher to the wall in the kitchen, which should be far from stove.

• Install smoke alarms in every room.

Don’ts

• Do not meddle with electric fixtures like plugs, wires, switches, and sockets.

• Don’t allow children to play in the kitchen.

• Never place oil lamps or agarbattis or candles on the floor or near flammable material.

• Do not hide behind furniture or in toilets or run-up to the terrace in times of fire.

• Never reach for any article over a fire.

• Never leave an open fire unattended.

• Do not refill a burning stove.

• Do not dispose off lighted cigarette buds carelessly.

• Do not plug too many electrical appliances in one socket.

 

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