The holidays were overwhelmed with sad news; and more so, on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, families had to deal with the heartbreak from devasting news of tragedy as a result of fire.
On Christmas Day, three died in a tragic fire in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), as a result of arson; while, on New Year’s Day, nine persons were left homeless.
The fire on New Year’s Day, according to the Guyana Fire Service, was ignited by a child playing with a lighter.
The headlines in the local press have been inundated with the loss of lives and property as a result of fires. These stories have been heart-rending, as families and friends are left in the path of destruction.
Last year, fires occurred at homes, markets, business places, schools, and dormitories. Unfortunately, the new year has started with another tragic fire.
As in the case of an accident, in the case of a fire, the sudden and shocking death of someone close and the loss of property and home can never be easy to endure. The ensuing excruciating pain and mental trauma that are inflicted on survivors can be unbearable.
In a fleeting moment, families were plunged into despair, and often the lingering impact may be hidden from the spotlight of the media. The reality is that people, including those who survive, suffer in unimaginable ways.
Several fires that have occurred had resulted from children being left at home alone and/or playing with inflammable objects.
A study conducted by the New York City Fire Department found that most children have a natural curiosity about fire. They want to know how fire looks and feels, and what it can do. To address this locally, there is a need for early education programme /lessons on the dangers and consequences of fire. Such a campaign should also include how to avoid fire-related accidents, and how to respond quickly if these should occur. Assuming that playing with flammable items, matches and lighters is a product of the natural curiosity of children and lack of understanding, then such programmes should be done at various stages of child development. This would lead to a health appreciation for fire safety.
Every year, Guyana joins in observing Fire Prevention Week at the beginning of October. This is a good time to have youth and young children countrywide learning about the importance of fire safety and fire prevention.
Another important safety regulation is the enforcement of fire codes and the Fire Prevention Act, Chapter 22:02.
Importantly, the Guyana Fire Service on Wednesday issued safety tips following the increase in house fires. These are:
1) Don’t leave things cooking on the stovetop unattended, and check regularly on the things cooking in the oven. It takes only a minute for a fire to get out-of-hand.
2) Equip your homes with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and fire alarms.
3) Keep flammable things like tissues, towels, paper bags, or cereal boxes away from your stove.
4) Don’t try to put out grease or electrical fires with water; this will only make them worse! Adding water to a grease fire can make it spread. Adding water to an electrical fire can cause electrocution.
5) One of the simplest and cheapest extinguishers for grease fires is baking soda. Keep a box next to your stove to throw on stovetop fires.
6) Use your stove only as directed. If you have a gas stove and smell gas, turn off all burners, open windows for better ventilation, and call your gas company.
7) Be careful when lighting the stove; make sure the room is well-ventilated, and use long-stemmed matches or lighters.
8) Pay attention when you are cooking. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off all burners. If a pot is on the fire, turn off the burner and cover the pot with a lid.
9) Avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves, which may catch fire easily. If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll!
10) Don’t use your oven as extra storage for flammable things like paper or plastic bags, plastic containers, or dish towels. Even if you don’t turn the oven on, the pilot light could ignite objects inside.
With the use of modern technology at our disposal, we must utilise this advancement to bring awareness to fire safety. Additionally, we must continue the task of educating through school site visits and community visits. Education and awareness are the first steps in turning around this deadly trend that has consumed our society.
