The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) is advising the populace to exercise extreme caution over the holiday season and adhere to fundamental fire safety precautions, particularly during the Harmattan season.

In a report sighted on 3News, the service reports that 44 fire occurrences were reported nationally on Sunday, December 25, which it believes is a worrying development. 19 of the total fire cases that were reported involved residential property, nine involved commercial property, eight involved bushfires, five involved vehicles, two involved electrical installation issues, and one involved a coconut tree’s top.

The Ashanti Region reported six cases, while Tema reported 11 cases, according to reports. The Upper East Region had one instance, and the Accra Region came in second with five cases.

But management raised concerns about the rise in cases, describing it as “very worrying”.

“The Service, therefore, calls on the general public to play its role in Fire Prevention by prioritising their own safety through the adherence of basic fire safety measures being churned out by the Service throughout the country and make positive attitudinal changes toward fire management to reduce fires during this festive season and beyond,” the release signed by Director of Public Relations ACFO I Timothy Osafo-Affum added.

The service employed Ghanaians to “by avoid the burning of bushes and rubbish; ensure proper maintenance of their vehicles; avoid the misuse of naked lights such as lit candles and mosquito coils; avoid the misuse of LPG cooking apparatuses, electricity and electrical appliances, unattended cooking in the kitchen among other negative practices that largely cause these fires”.

It also urged all heads of institutions to ensure that electrical equipment in the various offices is switched off and unplugged “to avoid causing fires during this Christmas break”.

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