The Jigawa Command of the Federal Fire Service has listed some safety tips for residents to avoid fire disasters as the harmattan season approaches.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Habibu Jamilu, gave the tips in a statement on Monday in Dutse.

Mr Jamilu said the tips were imperative to prevent fire disasters in houses, offices, markets and other places of public interest during the dry season.

“The harmattan is a season which occurs between the end of November and the middle of March every year, it is associated with very high risks of fire outbreaks due to low humidity, dryness and fluctuation in temperatures.

“Therefore, there is the need for us to educate Jigawa residents and other Nigerians on the need to be careful while using fire and electricity,” Mr Jamilu said.

He listed the tips as not leaving cooking unattended, indiscriminate bush burning, storing inflammable items indoor and keeping gas cylinders indoors.

He added that it was also imperative that children were not allowed to play with fire and switch off all electrical and electronic appliances while leaving homes, offices, market shops and other places.

The PRO listed others to include procuring first aid fire fighting equipment at home, office and others and getting fire service emergency phone numbers.

He, however, emphasised that paying attention to the food on fire was key in preventing fire outbreaks, noting that leaving food without close supervision was the number one cause of the residential fire.

According to him, indiscriminate bush and open burning of waste can also cause fire outbreaks if care is not taken.

“We have to be very vigilant on how residents and neighbours burn waste,” he said.

Mr Jamilu further warned that any substance that could easily catch fire, such as petrol and others, should not be stored indoors.

“Our gas cylinders that are more than 5kg are not supposed to be inside our kitchen or any other place indoor, these are time bombs.

“They should be kept outdoors and in a place that is not in direct contact with the sun and under low temperature. You can also put a wet rag on top of your gas cylinder in order to help in cooling the temperature of its surface,” Mr Jamilu advised.

He also warned parents not to allow their children to play with fireworks, especially as the Christmas celebration was around the corner.

“It is also important for residents to ensure that all electrical and electronic appliances are switched off before leaving home and also when not in use,” he said.

The PRO further urged residents to ensure they had the fire service emergency numbers in case of any fire incident.

(NAN)