Fire Chief cautions citizens to “be mindful” of fire safety during holidays

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has called on citizens to take extra precautions and adhere to fire safety practices during the Christmas holidays in order to prevent fires.

During a recent interview with Leroy Smith’s New Watch, Gentle pointed out that one of those precautions is ensuring that Christmas decorations do not obstruct any fire exit.
“Decorations should not be near heat-generating appliances. Drop cords should not be passed under carpets or near blinds and do not impede your means of escaping a building,” he said, according to an article published by the DPI.
The Fire Chief also noted that overloading electrical outlets goes against fire safety as it leads to overheating and short-circuiting, which can result in fire.
“The rule is that there should not be more than two appliances to every point. If appliances are used for heat-generating purposes like microwaves, those should not be shared with any other appliances,” Gentle said.
He added too that appliances should be switched off and unplugged when not in use.
Another aspect of the festive season is the shopping fever. Whether it is a gift or for personal use, consumers purchase and upgrade many household electrical appliances.
A statement by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has advised persons to ensure their appliances have certification marks – which can be found at the back of the appliance, and indicates that the product has been tested and meets safety and quality requirements for effective and safe usage.
Some certification marks include UL, CE, CSA, NOM and CCC, the DPI report detailed.
GNBS also advised consumers to ensure purchased household appliances are in keeping with their house’s electrical requirements.
“Ensure that the appliance has the correct voltage (110 or 220 volts). If you purchase any high voltage appliance, you must have a higher voltage electrical line installed.”
This installation must be conducted by a certified electrician.
Meanwhile, Fire Chief Gentle further relayed electrical instalments being done by uncertified persons and not in keeping with the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) department’s standards are among the main contributors to fires.
GEI’s Chief Electrical Inspector, Roland Barclay, said the nation’s electrical sector is managed by the Electrical Technical Standards Regulations.
This regulation has established guidelines on who can conduct electrical installations, and also ensures safe electrical instalments to reduce fires.
“The lawful act is the Electricity Technical Standards Regulations, which every electrical contractor or any aspiring electrician should have in their possession,” Barclay said.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) of the United States also forms part of Guyana’s Electricity Technical Standards Regulation, which lays out the foundation for electrical safety and all electrical work locally.
Barclay said electrical fires could be prevented once the NEC guidelines are followed. “You must use proper materials because not using proper materials is the main cause of fires…We work in collaboration with GNBS and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission to implement and enforce the electrical standards,” he said.
Citizens should not allow electricians without a permit from GEI to conduct any installation.
This was reiterated by Gentle, as he implored persons to act responsibly.
“The public, business owners and persons using and renting buildings all have a role to play because most times, investigations reveal that there are simple things that cause fires like failing to adhere to established practices – either using equipment against its purpose or exceeding the limit of operation for the equipment,” the Fire Chief said.
While the Guyana Fire Service has seen a decrease in persons tampering with electricity, persons using fire for land clearing and garbage disposal have been linked to an increase in deliberate fires.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils are among organisations responsible for proper garbage disposal.
Fire Chief Gentle has also advised the public to work with the NDCs for proper disposal procedures. The Fire Service has recorded nine fire-related deaths compared to ten last year, a decrease in children playing with matches by five per cent, a reduction in persons tampering with electricity, and a decline in buildings on fire.