EDITORIAL

Of late, fire-fighters in the Barbados Fire Service have had to battle with a number of house fires and sadly, some of those fires have not only claimed dwellings, but lives as well.

As such, it is crucial that homeowners take extra caution and care, and do their part in ensuring that house fires in Barbados are drastically reduced. By having a simple checklist which is followed daily, homeowners can better ensure that their houses do not go up in smoke.

When leaving home, homeowners and dwellers should make sure that appliances that are not needed are unplugged. For example, fans do not need to be constantly plugged in, neither do laptops nor other electronic devices. Homeowners also need to check on electrical wires around the home and fix any wires that are damaged, in good time. Persons who are cooking, should ensure that they are not fatigued or under the influence of any medications or any other legal or illegal substances that would impair their ability to carry out and complete their tasks safely.
Persons who smoke should not carry out this practice in bed. If possible, they should try their best to quit the habit this year. That would be one less hazard to worry about.

Householders should also engage in good housekeeping practices, ensuring that they keep in and around their properties clean and tidy, by not allowing materials such as old wood, log, grass piles, sponge or plastics to accumulate. Vacant lots overrun by grass should also be cleaned, given that any grass fire that takes place in close proximity to your home, is a potential threat. The bad practice of indiscriminate burning around homes must also be addressed, as this has factored into the equation, in some instances. These are just a few steps householders can take, to ensure that they keep a roof over their heads. Indeed, we cannot afford to lose any more homes or even lives to fire.

The Barbados Fire Service (BFS) has really done its best over the years, to spread the word about the need for better fire safety measures, on the part of householders. Yet, it seems that householders are not taking these messages seriously. Officers at the Fire Service have been very vocal about the increase in residential fires over the years, stressing that they are of great concern to the Department. The densely populated parish of St. Michael has been an area of concern as well, given that numerous residential fires have occurred there, over time.

Now house fires truly can be prevented, if only Barbadians would pay more heed to a number of fire prevention and safety tips, constantly issued by the Barbados Fire Service. Two small, but important tips constantly issued, include installing a smoke alarming and purchasing a fire extinguisher. These can do a world of good in reducing fires to residential homes.

Barbadians, please, do your best to make fire safety a priority, so that the number of house fires as well as fatalities can be drastically reduced and the burden becomes less for the Barbados Fire Service, our social services and certainly on local families.