Firm urges Nigerians to ensure routine maintenance of fire extinguishers
Assetbow Limited, a private Fire Safety Consultancy Firm, has called on citizens to ensure proper and routine maintenance of fire extinguishers to effectively combat fire incidences.
Mr Virgil Akama, the Managing Director of the Organisation, while addressing Pressmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that the advice was pertinent considering the fire emergencies that emerged during harmattan season.
Akama said that it was imperative to have working fire extinguishers and hydrants fixed at strategic and easy to reach locations in homes, work spaces and every other area with human and economic activities.
He said that asides from having the extinguishers functioning properly, it was also important to ensure that the right fire extinguishers for the different types of fires are purchased.
He added that the features accompanied with harmattan makes combustible materials more susceptible to ignition, hence, the need to enforce preventive measures rather than reactive actions.
“In most markets you would find poorly wired and maintained electrical systems which increases the risk of electrical fires asides from light surge and fluctuations.
“Also in homes, unattended open flames, such as from cooking or burning wastes and unsafe handling practices can lead to accidental fires.
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“To prevent fires during the harmattan season, routine checks should be conducted on electrical systems and appliances to identify and address potential threats,” Akama said.
The MD urged the Federal Government to consistently promote awareness campaigns on fire prevention, safety within communities, develop and regularly practice emergency evacuation plans to ensure swift and organised responses to fire outbreaks.
Akama said that there was also need to ensure Nigerians enforce and adhere to building codes that emphasised the use of fire-resistant materials and safety measures during construction of buildings.
“Combining these measures can help mitigate the risk of fires during the harmattan season and enhance overall safety in markets and buildings in Nigeria,” he said.
