The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has given tips on how to prevent fire outbreak.
This is as it warned Nigerians to be safety conscious in the management of fire at this time of the season.
The agency gave the warning on Sunday against the backdrop of the fire at Surulere area of Lagos State which consumed some shops.
In a statement by the Acting Zonal Co-ordinator, South West Zoneal Office, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, a slack in the mismanagement of fire could cause serious havoc, hence the need to be very careful.
The statement reads in part:
“Fire has been known to be a good messenger when handled with utmost care but a worst enemy when there is slack in mismanaging it.
“A slight mistake can destroy our own and immediate neighbours life time savings and assets thus the need for us all to be safety conscious.
“We must avoid unsafe practices when handling naked or any inflammable materials.
“We must avoid keeping power generators indoor before we sleep; ensure that whenever we intend to burn bushes of dried materials outdoors, we must not leave the scene until everything is burnt down and adequate water poured on the ashes. Failure to do this can spark fire disaster if wind blows dried material to the scene. Flying burning materials can be blown away to another which cause immense fire occurrence elsewhere.
“Let us guide our children from unsafe practices; when we are fatigued on returning home from work places, let us avoid going to kitchen to cook, take a nap of 1 or 2 hours before embarking on house chores to save lives and property.
“Children must be discouraged from playing with fire or candles with light.
“Most importantly, we should avoid using laptops in our beds or leaving it charging.”
