Occurrence of fires, causes, solutions
The occurrence of fire at homes and markets are not new in Ghana, but the frequency and the impart raises a serious concern.
The causes of these fires are not far-fetched. It is common knowledge to any safety student or professional that fire can be prevented by separating the components in the fire triangle — namely, combustible material, source of heat and oxygen — in sufficient quantities.
Some causes of fires are lighting a fire at inappropriate places with presence of combustible materials, illegal electrical connections, the use of inferior cables and extension cords/overloading of the extension cords, the use of deteriorated gas cylinders and worn out hoses or leads; not switching off gadgets not in used; the use of candles and coils; and smoking at inappropriate places and the improper disposal of cigarette butts, etc.
Precaution
Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulation, 2003, L.I 1724, stipulates or requires, factories and public premises to have fire detection and firefighting equipment.
The amended regulation, L.I 2249, further requires all private homes to have the fire detection and firefighting equipments like smoke detectors, fire alarms, extinguishers and fire blankets.
While some factories, offices and public spaces have these equipment, most homes do not have.
Project
The above deficiencies were to be cured by the introduction of the Dwumdza Project, which was to supply smoke detectors and firefighting equipment to every home in Ghana, per the amended L.l. 2249.
The project was under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) during President John Mahama’s first tenure.
However, this endeavour was stalled with the change in government.
Education
I do not think the state should go ahead to supply all private homes with fire extinguishing equipment as detailed under the Dwumdza Project.
With education and sensitisation, all homes must have them, as fires are best fought at their incipient stages, and these gadgets can detect and prevent them.
GNFS response to fires is often slow due to distance and the lack of accessible roads to the fire scenes. I suggest creating awareness and conducting sensitisation campaigns from primary schools through to tertiary institutions.
National service personnel can be provided with basic fire training and deployed to various markets as part of their service, and later absorbed into the GNFS, where vacancies exist.
The writer is a Chartered safety professional (CMIOSH)/
Lead risk manager, professional engineer (PE-GhIE).
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