Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Fire Calamity is Preventable

Jun 22, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor
Fire destruction seemed to be a frequent occurrence in Guyana. Such catastrophe is implicated for the loss of life and properties as well as disruption in the community. There are things that people and the government can do to reverse this national problem. Suggestions that may be helpful are as follows:
1. Fire stations most be strategically placed so that they can respond quickly to fires in the community. Equipment must be maintained and tested at scheduled times to ensure functionality.
2. With water treatment plants constructed in many communities, water availability should not be a problem. Hence, fire hydrants can be installed in these communities. If this is too costly then alternatives are possible.
Many households have storage tanks. If fire fighting equipment is in the communities, it can be attached to these tanks and used on the fire until the fire brigade arrives. Another suggestion is having a storage facility for sand or dirt so that they can be used in smothering the fire.
3. In the community, we have a policing group. These people should be trained as firemen, be able to provide first aid and can be the first responders to the fire in their community.
4. The wiring in many homes is not suitable for the equipment. There is fluctuating current coming to the house. To make this current non-destructive, it needs to be stabilised. This means that the wire coming into the home should be connected to a stabiliser, from the stabiliser the wire should be fed into a breaker panel.
Depending on the equipment in the home, wiring is run to outlets to accommodate these equipment. Installation should be done by a certified electrician. Many homes ignore these installations and rely on electrical surge bars to plug in their equipments. They are under the assumption that these bars can normalize the current. This is a myth. These bars are made with inferior wire and get overheated by having too much plugged in. They may be the cause of the fire.
5. Many homes are grilled to protect occupants from intruders. In the event of a fire, the only route of escape is the door, if the entrance is engulfed in flame then there is no other means of escape and the occupants perished. Each home should have several escape routes. One route could be via hinged grilled windows. Another helpful hint is do occasional fire drill so that everyone in the home knows how to act in the event of a fire.
6. Homes should have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
7. People should not get a busy signal when dialing the emergency number.
If these suggestions are implemented, we may see a reduction in fire casualties.
Dr Sherlock Rawana

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with GFF for Maid Marian Wheat Up...

Nov 29, 2024

  (GFF) — Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI) in an effort to contribute to the development of women’s football has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) as a sponsor of the Maid Marian...
Read More
GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

GFF provides support to EBFA U14 Boys’ League

Nov 29, 2024

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports Awards

Athletics scores big at NSC National Sports

Nov 29, 2024

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ National Finals

St. Theresa’s Primary triumph in Republic Bank...

Nov 29, 2024

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20 softball affair on Saturday night

Wakenaam Masters to face Parika Defenders in T20...

Nov 29, 2024

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tourney

Bakewell supports Kashif and Shanghai Futsal...

Nov 28, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]