The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has cautioned parents and guardians to take extra measures to protect children from domestic fires during the school vacation. 

Assistant Divisional Officer Grade I (ADO I) Richmond Asamoah Frimpong of the GNFS, Tema Regional Command, said children were more vulnerable to fire-related accidents during holidays when they spent longer hours at home. 

ADOI advised parents to always supervise children around hot items such as stoves and grills and to store chemicals and flammable substances out of their reach. 

He gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema and urged parents to create physical barriers around heat sources such as stoves, heaters, and fireplaces by using baby gates. 

He added that they must also keep flammable items like blankets and curtains away from children, especially when they were left at home. 

He further advised parents to keep matches and lighters inaccessible to children, ensure electrical appliances were switched off before leaving the house, and observe basic electrical safety measures. 

“Parents should teach children to call for help from a safe location after evacuating and never go back inside a burning building for any reason,” he said. 

ADO I Frimpong also advised households to use flashlights instead of candles during power outages to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.