The National Fire Authority is advising people to take heed of fire safety tips during this tropical depression that could form into a cyclone within the next 24 hours.
NFA Chief Fire Officer Mr Tupou Saubulinayau said: “cyclone is destructive when it reaches land and therefore people should seriously take heed of preventative measures given by the authorities”.
The following tips can save lives:
When the cyclone strikes, disconnect all electrical appliances.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
It is important to know what kind of stove or cooking materials you have in your home – gas, electric or kerosene. Stoves are considered a number one cause of fires in your kitchen that can destroy the entire house.
For electric and gas stoves ensure that the switch or the gas valve is switched or turned off immediately after the cooking is over.
When lighting your kerosene lantern or benzene light, keep a cover on the top while lighting so that sparks do not fly. These sparks can cause paper or flammable material to catch fire easily when fanned by strong wind.
While cooking food especially in an open fire place please stay in the kitchen until the food is cooked as strong winds can cause the fire to get out of control and spread quickly.
After the cooking is over, sprinkle water over the fire and embers and ensure that the fire is put out completely before leaving the fireplace. Do not keep items like kerosene or other fuels, newspapers or magazines, cloths, etc near the fireplace.
NFA’s Chief Fire Officer said that NFA rescue teams all around the country are on standby and available for any fire or rescue operation required by members of the public during this rainy and windy weather conditions.
Please call 911 for fire rescue assistance or NFA’s Suva Control Centre on phone 9925877 which is always ready 24 hours 7 days a week.
For further information please call Mileta Ting [9771190] or Ritesh Kumar [9987533]