Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Oct 13: With the onset of winter season in the valley, Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) of Jammu and Kashmir Monday issued a public advisory urging people to remain vigilant and adopt precautionary measures to prevent fire-related mishaps.
According to the advisory states that the department has urged residents to ensure that all electrical heating gadgets, stoves, Bukharies and LPG cooking gas stoves are properly switched off and unplugged before going to bed or leaving home.
People have also been advised to use Kangris with utmost care and to keep them in safe places during the night to avoid accidents.
The department further cautioned against storing dry grass, wood, or other combustible materials in residential areas, recommending to keep such items in isolated places away from homes.
The advisory further warns using of faulty or sub-standard electrical appliances, including defective heaters and blankets that could cause short circuits and fires.
It stresses the importance of using quality fuses, miniature circuit breakers (MCB) and earth leakage circuit breakers.
“Electric wires should be kept away from hot and wet surfaces. While cooking, people should remain in the kitchen and ensure the LPG cylinder and stove knob are switched off when not in use,” reads the advisory.
The department has also called for keeping proper ventilation when using LPG heaters and also emphasized for keeping escape routes and water access points clear especially in residential and market areas. Citizens have been urged not to throw live cigarette butts carelessly.
“In case of any fire incident, people have been asked to immediately contact the Fire and Emergency Services through toll-free number 101 or the control rooms at 0194-2452155, 2452222 (Srinagar) and 0191-2457705, 2435283 (Jammu), or report to the nearest fire station,” it reads—(KNO)
