Every year thousands of people lose their life or get seriously injured due to fire-related hazards. Many of us believe we may never be in the midst of a fire accident. That is not true. A fire can happen anywhere and at any time. The outbreak of a fire, when not handled carefully, can lead to loss of life as well as valuable assets. When dealing with a fire, it is important to remain alert at all times and follow preventive measures to avoid the chances of fire. Fire safety awareness includes assessing the possible risks that can cause a fire hazard and taking appropriate steps to prevent and minimize the damage caused due to a fire. Basic fire safety plans might involve installation of fire safety equipment and marking safe exits points in the building.

What is Fire Safety Awareness?

Fire safety awareness means analyzing the possible risks of fire in your vicinity and taking preventive measures to ensure minimum damage and safe exit of all the person exposed to fire. Different fire safety awareness approaches are adopted at different locations. However, the priority of every approach is the safe and successful evacuation of people trapped in a building in case of a fire.. For efficient fire safety awareness, proper fire safety training is crucial. A professional fire safety training program involves the necessary steps one must undertake in the event of a fire. Well planned and practiced fire safety training can prepare you mentally and physically to keep your mind calm during an emergency situation so that you can take the necessary steps to mitigate the damage.

Why is Fire Safety Awareness Important?

Fires can take lives and destroy property. If one has to handle a fire without damage then he/she must be aware at all the times. One of the key strategies while talking about fire safety awareness is identifying the possible fire hazards around you and making sure that a well thought fire safety plan is in motion as soon as a fire breaks out.

Following points make fire safety awareness a crucial practice that must be observed at home, school, workplace and any other place that is prone to fire hazard.

1. Training to respond during a fire

Fire safety awareness is important to make sure that individuals know how to respond during a fire hazard. It is important that one should keep calm and know the basic measures that should be undertaken when a fire breaks out. One of the major steps towards fire safety awareness is recognizing the basic properties of fire. To prevent the fire, keeping the sources of fuel and ignition apart.

2. Safety of those who are physically or mentally challenged

Adequate fire safety awareness not only helps in protecting oneself from fire-related hazards but can also prove beneficial for protecting those who are not able to help themselves. This might include physically and mentally challenged people, old aged people, kids, and pets.

3. Containing fire

In areas such as theatres, hotels, malls, schools, and workplace fire safety awareness become even more important as a fire breakout in such places can lead to death and damage to property and other assets. Ensure proper fire safety equipment is installed. With proper safety awareness, you can help in safe evacuation and it could be beneficial in putting out the fire. Fire safety awareness also involves learning how to operate various fire safety equipment such as smoke alarms, fire extinguisher and sprinklers.

Fire incidents can cause severe damage to life and property and hence, it is imperative to follow fire safety preventive measures to ensure that a fire is contained and minimal or no loss to either life or property is encountered. However, the list of fire safety violations is a huge one and some of them are frequent and common. Hence, it is always better to identify such common fire safety violations and see to it that they are prevented from better fire control.

#1 – Blocked Fire Exits and Passageways

Escaping a fire can be quick and easy if you follow the fire exits and the passageways. However, the most common fire safety violation is blocking of fire exits and passageways. Especially in offices and workplaces where unattended deliveries are stored directly blocking the fire exits and emergency escape routes.

#2 – Not Enough Illumination

Moreover, another common violation of fire safety is that emergency exits and other exits points are not properly illuminated which shouldn’t be the case. The exit signs should be easily noticeable and so should the pathways.

#3 – Blocked Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are a pivotal part of fire control and should be accessible easily. However, commonly fire extinguishers are empty or inaccessible or blocked. Such a violation of fire safety can be hazardous and dangerous.

#4 – Fire Alarms and Sprinklers

Fire alarms can be more useful than perceived and hence, another common fire safety violation is an irregularity in checking fire alarms and sprinklers. If any defect if found, then they must be replaced immediately.

#5 – Smoke Detectors

Adding to the already long list of fire safety violations is an irregularity in the maintenance of smoke detectors. The batteries and parts of smoke detectors must be regularly checked and maintained to ring a bell about fire incidents at the correct time to ensure safety.

#6 – Fire Doors

Fire Doors are designed for specific purposes to contain the heat and the smoke. Keeping them open to allow easy exits is a common practice of fire safety violation. Fire Doors must be held open only in probable circumstances by approved personnel or devices.

#7 – Self-Closing Devices

Fire Doors are fitted with self-closing devices. Many times a common violation of fire regulations is loosened or irregular self-closing devices. These devices must be maintained regularly.

#8 – Extension Cables

Extension cables are temporary and must not be used permanently especially through walls or permanent structures. Such common fire safety violations must be avoided to prevent the spread of fire.

#9 – Covered Electrical Outlets

Often electrical outlets are left exposed which is a common fire safety violation. Exposed electrical outlets increase the chances of damage and hence, must be properly covered.

#10 – Clearances

Clearances are the biggest common fire safety violations which occur in office spaces and areas alike. It is always a must to keep electrical sources free of furniture or any other obstructions.

The above-mentioned list includes some common fire safety violations which must be avoided to ensure the fire does not spread easily and rapidly and hence, preventing damage to life and property.

If you are in Bangalore, now, you can report these violations with our Fire Champ App, Download fire champ and start reporting violations – (link)

Resources:

Infographics on Fire safety violations

Mumbai’s tryst with fire incidents continues to grow as the city witnessed another fire accident on 22nd August under the label of Crystal Towers. With as many as 12 fire incidents over the past six months, Mumbai is a city under constant threat of fire accidents. These incidents are not only dangerous but also macabre. It is thus, impertinent to deploy better fire hazard preventive measures in order to minimize the probability of these fire encounters. Here’s a look at some of the deadliest fire incidents to happen in Mumbai over the last eight months which took a heavy toll on public’s health and resources.

Cine Vista film studio, Kanjurmarg (January 6, 2018)

In January, Cine Vista film studio in Kanjurmarg witnessed a massive fire due to what is to be believed as faulty wiring. The fire is said to break out at 8 pm at the Cine Vista studio on LBS Road. Reports also suggest that a technician lost his life to the deadly fire. Moreover, many people were seriously injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The studio was a one-story structure and the fire has consumed the entirety of it.

Mamoon Building, Marol (January 4, 2018)

Within days prior to the Cine Vista film studio fire, Mumbai bore welcome to another deadly fire incident that claimed the lives of four people. Mamoon Building, a residential suburban structure in Marol was ablaze with fire when the Mumbai Fire Brigade was called at 2.10 AM in the morning. Reports indicate that the fire started on the fourth floor and escalated rapidly to other floors as well. Accordingly, a total of nine people were seriously injured of which four were declared dead on reaching the hospital as they have suffered major burns.

Fire at Snack Shop, Saki Naka (18 Dec 2017)

Another diabolical fire incident which led to the death of around 12 people occurred on 18th December 2017 when a massive fire broke out at a snack shop in Saki Naka-Kurla. The fire began at 4.25 AM in the Makaria Compound in Khairani Road and consumed the entire structure as the people working inside were declared dead on arrival at the hospital after suffering major burns

Kamala Mills fire (Dec 29, 2017)

The infamous fire accident at Kamala Mills which was not only horrendous but also deadly cannot be excluded from the list. If reports are to be believed, almost 14 lives were lost in the Kamala Mills fire which broke out shortly after midnight on the third floor of the building. The origin of the fire was said to be the Mojo Bistro club on the top floor.  

Crystal Towers fire (Aug 22, 2018)

Recently another addition to the list of gruesome fire accidents in Mumbai is the Crystal Towers fire near Hindmata cinema in Parel. It took as many as 20 fire engines to douse the fire and even though people were carried over the hospital, a total of four lost their lives due to fire burns.

If anything, the above incidents entail how the intensity of fire accidents in Mumbai is certainly on the rise and how it is a critical need of the hour to deploy better fire safety measures.

Fire especially accidental fire can cause irreparable damage when adequate measures are not adopted to prevent and control it. Every year, many offices and homes are affected by fires bearing the loss of life as well as assets only because of no prior preparation to prevent and fight it. One of the most important parts of preventing incipient fires from becoming large fires is the use of proper fire detection systems. Fire alarms can play a major role in detection as well as in alerting for safe evacuation if applied properly. Like every other equipment, fire alarms have also witnessed drastic changes over the years with the addition of many smart and intuitive features.

Smoke Alarm

What are fire alarms and how do they work?

The sole function of a fire alarm is to alert human beings about a fire breakout so that they can adopt the necessary measures to put out the fire and safely evacuate out of the area.

A fire alarm system has three major components fire alarm panels, an input system, and an output system. Out of the three components, the fire alarm panel is the most important component as it does all the thinking part of the system. The input is provided to the system manually or automatically depending on the mechanism of the system. Output module of the system broadcasts signals in the form of sound, beacon or output modules.

Here are 3 things you must know about fire alarm systems

• Fire alarms are different from smoke detectors

Smoke detectors and fire alarms are often confused and are used in an interchangeable manner but there is a huge difference between the two. A smoke detector has only one function and that is to detect smoke and send an alert message whereas a fire alarm system can detect smoke as well as heat and provide signals to fire alarm panel. The choice between the two different systems depends on the premises and the functionalities you desire.

• Maintenance of a fire alarm system depends on its age

Fire alarm systems do require maintenance and the maintenance mostly depends on the age of the system. Generally, a decent fire alarm system works fine for 5 years before demanding replacement but maintenance of components is a regular affair. It is advised that one must perform a minimum of through yearly checks on the fire alarm systems installed on their premises.

• There are two types of fire alarm systems

There are two different types of fire alarm systems namely collective and addressable. In an addressable system, each detector can identify signals individually whereas, in a collective system, each detector cannot identify signals individually.  Addressable fire alarm systems are more reliable as compared to the collective type.

Fire alarm systems are great equipment to alert people about fires. Timely detection and awareness can minimize the damage caused due to fire. It is important to seek a professionally designed fire alarm system for the safety of ourselves and our family members. You can take a professional advice as to which fire alarm system is apt for your premises and the type of functionalities you require depending on the architecture of the building.

Accidental fires are dangerous especially when you are living in a home which does not have a proper and meticulous fire safety plan. Lack of any such plan could lead to irreparable damage as well as loss of life of loved ones. To avoid such situations, it is important to have a professionally designed and well-implemented fire escape plan.

When fires happen at our home, the very first step towards safe evacuation starts by sticking to the fire safety plan. An absence of any such plan can prove fatal and trying to extinguish fires on our own could prove disastrous. This article helps you learn to successfully make a fire safety plan for your home which can be pretty helpful in case of an accidental fire at your home. You can also know about the points you must consider while designing a home safety plan to ensure safe exit of young, and old members of the family.

How to make a fire safety plan at home?

Getting the basics:

Firstly, we must Install the necessary fire safety equipment at our home such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers at every level of your home. We have the option of consulting our nearby government fire safety department regarding the quality of the equipment and the type of safety equipment we must install at our home according to the architecture and location.

Training:

After setting up fire safety equipment properly the next step is to train each member of our family on how to operate the equipment. Fix a day and let them know about the functions of different equipment and when to use them.

Fire drills:

Download a blank template from the internet and mark all the fire safety equipment installed in your home in it. We often ignore the fact that children can panic during such difficult situations, therefore, we must pay special attention to kids while formulating a fire safety plan for our home. With proper training, you can eliminate the panic that sets in and the training would help the members of the family to think clearly.

Fire safety plan:

The fire safety plan must include two safety exits in each room and a safe meeting place where you can meet the other members of the family after safe evacuation. Download the home fire safety checklist.

Create resources:

Display the charted fire safety plan at a centralized location in your home so that all the members of the family get used to it and could refer to it during emergency situations.

Points to Consider While Making a Home Fire Safety Plan

1. While making a home fire safety plan, analyze the location of the house and identify the nearest emergency contact points.
2. To ensure fail-safe fire safety plan, make sure that you have roles assigned to adults for taking care of pets, physically disabled members and toddlers.
3. If the home has security bars/grills on windows and doors then a mechanism must be installed which allows you to open them instantly during a fire.
4. Residents of high rise buildings must defend in place for better evacuation.
5. The plan must include detailed passage towards exit points, garages, roofs and other open areas that could help in the evacuation.

Teaching your family members about fire safety helps them to be sensitive to emergency situations. It not only helps them to be safe at home but also in the places they visit.

#FirekillsPreventit

Image Source: creativecommons.org

Useful Resources:

Home Fire Safety Checklist 

Ultimate fire safety checklist for your home

Recently, there have been many fire accidents at malls, restaurants, marriage halls, exhibitions, shopping complexes or other public places so far. Fire safety in public places is the last thing we would have in mind when we visit these places mostly for entertainment. Being more careful could help you avert any tragedies and make your family more aware of the safety concerns.

What are the causes of fire in public places?

1. Highly combustible materials – materials used for makeshift roofing could be of shamiana or thatched or cloth. These materials are highly combustible and the fire could reach to dangerous scales in seconds. In the Uphaar cinema tragedy in 1997,  59 people lost their lives due to suffocation and 103 seriously injured due to stampede.
2. Electrical fires – electrical short-circuit or ignition
3. Intentional fires – setting fire to garbage or dried plants is a common site in India.

Some of the worst fire accidents in the recent past

Recently we have had so many fire accidents in public places that have caused many casualties and have caused serious damage to life and property.

1. On March 25, 2018, a fire in a mall in Kemerovo, Russia, killed 64 people, most of which were children
2. A hospital fire in Miryang, South Korea killed more than 37 people and injured 131 on January 26, 2018
3. In December 2017, 38 people were killed in a shopping mall fire in Davao city in Indonesia
4. On December 2017, 14 were killed in a rooftop bar at Kamala mills in Mumbai

Here are some quick things you can do to protect yourself from any unforeseen incidents in public places:

1. 1. Be a good observer: Before you enter a building, check for these: Does the place have good entry and exit points, is it wide enough for people inside to evacuate in the wake of an incident? Are the exits and areas outside the building not blocked with materials that may hinder evacuation?
   2. Locate the fire exits: Locate the fire exits as soon as you enter the building. This would save you crucial minutes in case of emergencies. Also, check if the aisles and fire exits are not blocked and are wide enough to help everyone evacuate safely
   3. Check for the fire safety system: Check if the building has fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, sprinklers, etc. If you cannot find it, ask the management about the fire safety system of the building
   4. Is the building overcrowded? Do not enter a building if you feel it is unsafe. If the building is overcrowded, or if it has too many heat sources which makes you feel unsafe. Avoid such places.
   5. Have an assembly point: Does the building have an assembly point outside the building and communicate this with your family. In case of an emergency, you can assemble at the same spot without any confusion.
   6. Be vigilant: Don’t think fire accidents cannot happen around you. If the smoke alarm rings or if there is any unusual noise, exit the building immediately.

Never be nonchalant anytime. Fires could happen to anyone and it could happen to you as well.

#FirekillsPreventit

Fire hazards around us

A place that we commonly stay or visit could have many potential fire hazards that we may not even notice in our routine. Residences, workplace, public places, schools, libraries, etc could be the places that fall under this.

Residential fires are much common and it is the major contributor for the all the fire accidents in our country. Let us explore the fire hazards in our homes…

What are the potential fire hazards in your home?

Kitchen Fires

Kitchen fires are responsible for 50% of residential fire accidents. These are the common causes of kitchen fires in residences,

• LPG – Almost all the Indian homes use LPG. It is imperative to know the general precautions while using LPG and what to do in case of a gas leak. LPG burst and inhalation of LPG are the main causes of death. Check out the precautions that need to be observed while using LPG and educate your family members about LPG safety.
• Dangerous liquids – Storing dangerous liquids like kerosene, alcohol near cooking areas are another potential fire hazard for your home. Avoid storing dangerous liquids or store it away from the heat source to prevent accidental fires.
• Electrical appliances – electrical appliances like ovens, microwave, kettle or electrical cookers, are also a potential fire hazard. Know the safe use of electrical equipment and use only ISI approved equipment and wiring to prevent fire accidents. Never use an equipment with frayed or damaged wires.
• Combustible materials – combustible materials like newspapers, wooden objects, curtains, etc should be away from the heat source. If these are on a close contact with heat sources like cooking area, electrical ducts or vents, it can catch fire and spread quickly.

Electrical Fires

Extension cords with multiple plugs

• Poor wiring – If your house is more than 20 years old, there may not be enough provisions to handle modern equipment. In such a case, it is better to have a qualified electrician check the wiring of your house.
• Electrical short-circuit – another common cause of electrical fires is short-circuit. Never overload a single electrical phase and use circuit breakers to prevent electrical fires.
• Illegal tapping of electricity – Illegal tapping of electricity is common in rural areas. This is not just a fire risk but also a risk of electrical shock.
• Substandard appliances – Use only ISI approved appliances. Appliances that do not have ISI certification may not have the necessary safety standards. Never use such appliances.
• Octopus connections and extension cords – Do not use a single socket for multiple types of equipment. And use extension cords only temporarily to prevent fires.

Bedrooms and careless smoking

• Smoking indoors and smoking on the bed can also be a potential fire hazard for your home.

If you smoke, smoke outdoors and dispose of the cigarette mindfully after smoking.

Home fire safety is very important to prevent residential fire accidents. Refer the home fire safety checklist to prevent fire accidents in your home. 

Fire hazards at the workplace or office

The workplace or office is a place that you would be visiting every day.

Combustible materials and waste pile up – combustible materials catch fire soon it comes in contact with a heat source. The fire could rage to uncontrollable heights in a matter of minutes. Proper waste management and well-planned stocking of combustible materials play a vital role in preventing workplace fire accidents.

Dangerous liquids – inflammable liquids catching fire accidentally is yet another common cause of fire accidents in Indian industries. Improper storage mechanisms and illegal storage of dangerous liquids could be observed as the reason in many of the past fire accidents. Even in the recent Ludhiana fire accident in October 2017, stocking up of dangerous liquids made the fire spread uncontrollably resulting in the building collapse.

Poor maintenance of machinery  & heating – Heating of machinery and poor maintenance could also be a potential fire hazard in your workplace.

Electrical fires –  An electrical short-circuit is the major cause of fire accidents in commercial establishments. A working fire safety system with working fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, etc could help in curbing fire and prevents it from spreading.

Fire safety awareness plays a crucial role in preventing it. When you get to see a potential fire hazard in the places you visit, try to remove it or inform the concerned authorities to take necessary actions. You could save a life! #FirekillsPreventit

Resources:

Home fire safety checklist

Workplace fire safety checklist

Ludhiana is the biggest city in Punjab with a population of over 1.6 million according to the 2011 census. In the past one year, there were series of fire mishaps in the city and there seems to be no action taken by the authorities to prevent such disasters in the future.  

Here are a few major fire accidents of Ludhiana in the last one year

1. Fire accident in a multi-story building in November 2017:

This is one of the worst disasters in India in the year 2017. The fire accident occurred in a four-storey plastic manufacturing unit in Suffian Chowk killed 13 out of which 9 firemen lost their lives. The fire started from the chemical barrels stored inside the factory and spread rapidly. Soon the entire building collapsed leaving many trapped inside. It took hours for the fire department and the disaster response force to conduct the rescue operation. The factory was allegedly flouting fire safety norms and there were many irregularities.

2. Rahon Road accident in May 2017:

A fire broke out on a textile factory in Rahon road killed 3 laborers. The bodies were charred beyond identification. The cause of the incident is not known. But, it is alleged that the factory did not have any firefighting system or a fire extinguisher or an emergency exit. In this case, there was a serious negligence of laws by the owner of the factory.

Source: Hindustan Times

3. Jainish Nagar hosiery unit in October 2017

This major fire accident occurred in a hosiery unit in Maharaja Ranjith Singh Park. There were no casualties reported. But, in this case, the industrial unit was operating in a busy residential area. It took 10 hours for the firefighters to douse the fire and the building collapsed in this process. According to the report, the factory was operating in the town planning area, where industries are not supposed to operate. During this incident, many of the residences around the hosiery unit were affected due to the smoke and heat.

Source: Hindustan Times

4. Bindra colony April 2018

A short-circuit on a small business unit on the ground floor of a residential building spread to the first floor in early hours. Four members of a family residing on the first floor received severe burn injuries, which included a 3.5-year-old girl child. The fire spread rapidly because of the combustible materials stored in the business unit.

Source: Times Of India

5. Fire accident in a scrap shed on May 2018

The fire caused by a spark from wires in a scrap shed in Naali Mohalla gutted the entire shed and spread to the nearby residences. Allegedly, the residents have complained about sparks from the dangling wires and there seemed to be no action taken by the concerned authorities. Luckily, there were no casualties but there were significant damages to the properties of the residents.

Source: Tribune

These were some of the major accidents, but there were many other notable ones that have happened in Ludhiana over the last one year.

Here are a few accidents, other than the ones mentioned above, in the last two months.

1. Fire in furniture unit on May 24, 2018, in Fakir Chand Mohalla – The factory had no fire safety system in place and the workers could not control the fire. There were no casualties and the fire gutted the entire factory. (Source: Tribune)
2. Materials worth crores were gutted in a fire accident in a plywood factory on April 28, 2018, in Dhandhari.
3. An electrical short-circuit in a garment factory in Nanakpura on April 5, 2018, led to a major fire mishap.  

What could be the common observations from these incidents?

In most of these incidents, there are many fire safety violations and there was no action taken against the violators. This shows that there is a serious flaw in the system that regulates fire safety in Punjab. These were some cases that have surfaced, but there are more waiting to happen if the concerned authorities do not take necessary action immediately.

Even after the fateful plastic factory accident in November 2017, it is shocking to note that the authorities did not expedite the processes of inspection and fire safety audit in the industries of Ludhiana.

In sum, both the citizens who violate and the authorities who have to check for violations are failing to make the city fire safe.

Does it mean that all the other states are safe?

Industries flouting fire safety norms is nothing new to India. In a recent inspection conducted in Odisha, it is found that out of 26 buildings, none had the proper firefighting system in place. In Mumbai alone, there were 4592 buildings were issued notices from the Mumbai Fire Brigade for flouting fire safety norms. But the action was taken only against 17 buildings.

The cities in India with rapid urbanization, there is a huge spike in the fire incidents. The fire departments are not equipped with manpower or resources to cater to the needs of the developing areas.  

There were many fire accidents in the past that clearly showed laxity in fire safety law enforcement. We are only refusing to learn our lessons and wait for another disaster to happen.

It is high-time to take a serious look at the fire safety norms of our country to prevent such mishaps in the future. The industries in India must come under a tight scanner and violators of fire safety laws must be strictly penalized. Only then there shall be adherence to the fire safety laws.

Sources:

Image: wikimediacommons.org

Reference: Times of India

In India, even the most developed and urbanized cities have poor fire safety measures, rural areas are most prone and affected by fire accidents. In the present scenario, fire safety in rural areas is the least priority.

In the year 2017, a fire accident in Singhbum district in Jamshedpur has killed 6 and injured 4. The accident took place in an illegal cracker unit which had a huge stacking of crackers. The illegal cracker unit was operating in a busy market area.

What is the rural-urban ratio in India? Why is it important to ensure fire safety?

According to ICE 360 Degree Household survey 2016, around 2/3rd of Indian population live in rural areas. A whopping 89% of the population live in rural area. While it is important to improve the economic standards of the rural population, there is another need, the basic need to be safe where they live. The lives of the rural population are always vulnerable owing to the poor reach of facilities.

Do we have enough resources to fight fires?

Fire is the 5th biggest risk for India as per the India Risk Survey 2017 reports by FICCI-Pinkerton. The infographic below shows the resource gap in India.

What causes fire accidents in rural areas?

1. Thatched roofing – A majority of the houses in rural areas are built with thatched roofs. A small fire could spread rapidly to the nearby areas causing huge loss to the dwellers.

2. Gas cylinder explosions – Another common occurrence of fire accidents in rural areas is LPG explosion. Lack of awareness of safe usage of LPG and complacency has led to so many fire accidents in rural areas.

3. Negligence of fire safety – This is the most common cause of fires not only in rural areas of India. Fire safety is often neglected. The norms for fire safety in rural areas are almost oblivious.

4. Less number of fire departments for the population – According to the fire cell of National Disaster Response Force, there is a shortage of 97.59% fire stations, 96.28% firemen and 80.04% rescue vehicles. The rural areas are most affected due to the remoteness of the locality.

5. Firecrackers and industrial establishments – Industrial establishments flouting fire safety norms is nothing new to India. Rural areas seldom come under the scanner of the authorities and majority of firecracker industries operate in rural areas of India.

6. Stacking of timber and wood – Timber, haystack, and cattle fodder are highly combustible. Since agriculture is the main source of income, these elements are inevitable in rural areas. Safety measures while using these elements are rarely given priority in villages.

7. Electrical short-circuit – Usage of sub-standard electrical wires and illegal tapping of electricity are major causes of fire accidents in India.

8. Bonfires in winter – In winter, village fire accidents and forest fires are also caused by bonfires.

3 Major Fire Accidents In Rural Areas Of India In 2018

50 shanties gutted in Gurgaon village

In a fire accident on May 20, an LPG gas burst has brought down 50 shanties to ashes. Though there was no life loss, there was a huge loss of livelihood.

Source: The Indian Express

Uttarkashi village fire accident

In February this year, a major inferno brought down 39 houses in Sawadi village of Mori district in Uttarkashi. Fire accidents are not new to this district, according to this report, between the year 2006- 2013, there have been 8 such instances. These accidents have brought down 263 houses. In this incident, it took hours for the fire department to reach the spot, owing to the remoteness of the place.

Source: Times of India

Fire in Meerut gutted 100 huts

On April 23, a major fire in Jahidpur village in Meerut gutted 100 huts. The fire was from a firecracker from a wedding procession that landed on the thatched roof of a hut. The fire spread rapidly to the nearby huts. According to the report, the fire was doused by the local police and the public as the fire department could not reach on time.

Source: Free Press Journal

What do these incidents tell us?

In all these cases, there were no fire safety measures taken by the citizens to prevent fires in the first place. Even in urban areas, most citizens lack fire safety awareness. They think about it only if they are directly affected by an incident. Majority of these incidents are published in newspapers for a few days and remains forgotten until a next incident occurs.

How can we prevent fire accidents in rural areas?

Volunteers and community helpers

In rural areas, a team of designated volunteers or community helpers could be chosen to carry out regular fire safety protocols in their community. These volunteers can conduct programs to educate people in their community about fire safety.

Public education in schools

Fire safety awareness in schools and educational institutions help children to be more responsible adults.

Public education to women

Rural fire safety education to women helps them to know the causes of fire in residences and they would be more mindful in their day-to-day activities. This would help to bring down fires related to LPG and electricity.

Industrial fire safety in rural areas

Industries in rural areas should come under a tight scanner as far as fire safety is concerned. Only then would there could be adherence to fire safety laws.