The advisory also highlights the dangers of discarding live cigarette butts carelessly, a common cause of accidental fires
The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services in Jammu and Kashmir has released a detailed winter safety advisory, urging residents to adopt precautionary measures to prevent fire incidents during the ongoing dry weather. The advisory aims to mitigate risks posed by heating appliances, electrical hazards, and improper storage of combustible materials during the cold season.
The advisory emphasises the importance of ensuring all heating appliances, including stoves and LPG cooking gas stoves, are switched off before going to bed or leaving the house. Residents have been cautioned to handle traditional heating devices like *Kangris* carefully, especially at night, to avoid accidental fires.
“Citizens are advised not to store combustible materials such as dry grass and wood in residential areas. These should be kept in isolated locations, away from homes, to minimise the risk of fires,” the advisory states.
Addressing electrical fire hazards, the department has warned against the use of faulty or substandard appliances, high-wattage room heaters, and defective electrical blankets. To safeguard against potential short circuits, residents are encouraged to install high-quality fuses, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), and earth leakage circuit breakers.
Other key recommendations include:
– Keeping electric wires away from hot or wet surfaces.
– Ensuring proper ventilation when using LPG heaters.
– Staying in the kitchen while cooking and turning off stoves if stepping away.
– Maintaining clear escape routes and easy access to water in homes and market areas.
The advisory also highlights the dangers of discarding live cigarette butts carelessly, a common cause of accidental fires.
In case of a fire emergency, the public has been urged to contact the Fire and Emergency Services through the toll-free number 101 or reach out to control rooms in Srinagar (0194-2452155/2452222) and Jammu (0191-2457705/2435283).
As temperatures drop, the Directorate’s advisory serves as a crucial reminder for residents to prioritise safety and remain vigilant to prevent fire-related tragedies.
