GNFS launches ‘Home Safety’ campaign
A home safety campaign has been launched by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to contain the increasing spate of domestic fires in the country.
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Statistics at the GNFS indicate that 2,040 domestic fires occurred in 2012, while 2,063 cases were recorded in 2013.
In 2014, some 2,047 fires were registered, while 2,654 occurred in 2015.
Domestic fires which occurred from 2012 to 2015 represented 41.02 per cent of total fire outbreaks recorded nationwide in the same period.
In all, 24, 500 fires occurred in the country in the last four years, out of which 10,051 were domestic fires (fires emanating from individual or private homes).
The service also recorded 188 deaths and 267 injuries, while an estimated GH₵59,460,346.23 was lost as a result of the destruction of properties in the last four years.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs Matilda Amissah–Arthur, the wife of Vice-President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, called for comprehensive measures to ensure that home fires were prevented.
That, she said, would help prevent the unnecessary loss of lives, properties, injuries and agonies that families endured as a result of fire outbreaks.
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“The time has come for all of us to take fire safety and prevention seriously, so that we can build a better nation for ourselves, our children and generations unborn,” she said.
Change of attitude
Mrs Amissah-Arthur also advised the public to change their attitude, which she said was key to preventing fire outbreaks.
She said the improper handling of electrical gadgets, candles left unattended to, and the engagement of uncertified electricians were some of the major causes of domestic fires which the campaign would seek to address.
She, therefore, urged the citizenry to embrace the campaign, saying, “Let us, therefore, say “NO” to activities and attitudes that compromise fire safety.”
Understanding
In his welcome address, the Chief Fire Officer, Dr Albert Brown Gaisie, said there was the need to appreciate and understand fire safety and observe necessary precautions as a way of mitigating fire outbreaks in the nation.
He said in addition to physical dangers, fire outbreaks took tremendous emotional toll on people and their families, adding: “Losing one’s home and treasured possessions can be traumatic.”
He mentioned negligence, carelessness and ignorance as the underlying factors leading to domestic fires in Ghana, hence the need for massive awareness creation across the country.
The Campaign
Touching on the campaign, Dr Gaisie said personnel of the service, as well as members of the community fire protection assistants (CFPAs), would go round households to educate occupants on fire safety and precautionary measures to be taken in case there was an outbreak of fire on their premises.
They would also install fire defence systems or early warning equipment such as smoke detectors, fire alarms and extinguishers in those homes.
He said Tema and Accra in the Greater Accra would be used for piloting the campaign, while the project would be replicated across the nation later.
As part of the home safety campaign, 10 fire engines, 10 pick-ups and 30 motorbikes would be deployed to the regions to help facilitate the work of GNFS personnel.