The Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid activities that could cause fire outbreaks in their homes and other places during the Christmas festivities.

Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) I, Linda Afua Pongo, Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Western Region GNFS, said during a door-to-door sensitisation campaign in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis that it was imperative for citizens to strictly adhere to fire safety measures to ensure a fire-free Christmas season.

Speaking in an interview, she stated that the door-to-door engagements would run throughout the festive season, and the goal was to prevent fire outbreaks during the yuletide.  

ADO I Pongo said as part of the initiative, fire officers would hold engagements and outreach programmes in communities, markets, and other public spaces to educate residents on fire prevention and basic safety practices.

She said, “The exercise is designed to significantly reduce the incidence of fire outbreaks, particularly domestic fires, which tend to rise during the festive seasons.”

She explained that the Command adopted the door-to-door approach after observing a consistent increase in household fire incidents during Christmas celebrations, largely due to unsafe cooking practices, electrical faults, and the misuse of fire-related items.

“Our goal is not necessarily to record zero fire incidents, but to drastically reduce the number of occurrences during the festive season,” she noted.

ADO I, Pongo, urged residents to prioritise fire safety, emphasising that public cooperation is essential in preventing fire outbreaks.

“We are confident that the public will embrace the guidance we are providing, as prevention remains the most effective way to combat fire incidents, and collective responsibility is vital to keeping our communities safe this Christmas,” she added.

She also advised residents to keep the Fire Service emergency contacts readily available and to report any incidents to the nearest station for a prompt response, emphasising: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting lives and property.”