The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is cautioning the public to be very alert during the festive period and abide by basic fire safety practices especially in the Harmattan season.
According to the Service, 44 cases of fire incidents were recorded nationwide on Sunday, December 25, a situation which it says raises concern.
Out of the total fire cases recorded, 19 were domestic, nine were commercial, eight were bushfires, five were vehicular, two electrical installation faults and one was crown fire involving a coconut tree.
Tema is said to have recorded the highest cases of 11 while the Ashanti Region recorded six cases. The Accra Region followed with five cases and the Upper East Region had one case.
“Fortunately, no fire incident casualty was recorded,” a press release issued by the Service on Monday, December 26 said.
But management raised concerns about the rise in cases, describing it as “very worrying”.
“The Service, therefore, calls on the general public to play its role in Fire Prevention by prioritising their own safety through the adherence of basic fire safety measures being churned out by the Service throughout the country and make positive attitudinal changes toward fire management to reduce fires during this festive season and beyond,” the release signed by Director of Public Relations ACFO I Timothy Osafo-Affum added.
It further called on the general public to be extra-vigilant “by avoiding the burning of bushes and rubbish; ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles; avoid the misuse of naked lights such as lit candles and mosquito coils; avoid the misuse of LPG cooking apparatuses, electricity and electrical appliances, unattended cooking in the kitchen among other negative practices that largely cause these fires”.
It also urged all heads of institutions to ensure that electric equipment in the various offices are switched off and unplugged “to avoid causing fires during this Christmas break”.