EDITORIAL: Keep fires down in 2020
Reports are that the Barbados Fire Service has seen a reduction in most categories of fires for the year 2019.
This is great news. Acting Fire Chief Henderson Patrick has meanwhile been appealing to Barbadians to keep the numbers down, by being extra careful this Christmas Season. A look at the figures show that house fires are down by one-fifth so far, year on year, amid an overall drop in other major incidents. Specifically, the Fire Service has revealed that there have been 58 house fires when compared to 72 recorded in 2018 and there have been half as many commercial building fires, with only 13 incidents compared to 26 the year prior. An 11 per cent drop was also reported in grass fires – there were 959 grass fires compared to 1 074 last year; while there was a minimal six per cent decline in rubbish fires, as 415 were recorded for 2019 compared to 440 in 2018.
Given that the Fire Department has over the years been expressing concern about house fires, bearing in mind the effects these have on householders and even communities, it is good to have these reports which signal that citizens are doing something right, in terms of reducing fire hazards. Indeed, the Fire Service is on record praising residents for actively participating in this reduction of incidents, whilst also acknowledging the hard work of fire firefighters, amidst the improvements.
That said, we cannot rest on our laurels, even as the year comes to a close and as the New Year approaches. The Barbados Fire Service 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. Therefore, it is up to householders to heed the fire safety messages given and do their best to prevent any incidents as we go into the year 2020.
Homeowners must do their part to ensure that house fires in Barbados are 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 or who have plans to cook 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 and they should dispose of their cigarette butts in the appropriate containers, soaking them in water if necessary.
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 to that home. These are just a few steps householders can take, to ensure that they keep a roof over their heads.