Easter weekend is a delightful time to celebrate with family and friends while enjoying great food, and much-loved holiday traditions. But keep in mind — your celebrations aren’t the only thing this weekend.

The National Fire Authority (NFA) advices all Fijians to practice fire safety this Easter weekend and be aware of all fire hazards in and around their homes.

As a lot of gatherings and cooking would be part of the weekend, NFA advices people to take extra precautions while in the kitchen cooking or if they are leaving their homes to visit families and friends. Some important fire safety tips can be practiced this weekend while using electrical appliances, matches, fire ignition sources, candles, mosquito coils or while leaving home to avoid unnecessary fires.

Fire-Free Family Gatherings

Did you know that home cooking fires have been one of the major causes of home fires in Fiji? During big family gatherings, it is easy to be distracted. Here are a few tips to keep your family celebration from going up in flames.

• Avoid overcrowding the kitchen and doing too many things at once. Keep children out of the kitchen if possible, and make sure to watch them closely when they are present.
• Be alert when cooking. If you’re sleepy or have consumed alcohol, avoid using the stove and oven. Set timers and don’t leave anything unattended.
• Keep flammable items — such as oven mitts, kitchen towels, wooden utensils, food wrappers and curtains — away from your cooking area.
• Be careful when frying anything. In the event of a small grease fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Remove lid once completely cooled.
• While cooking outdoor, keep firewood neatly stacked away from fire place
• Never underestimate firewood embers. Put them out completely after use. It only takes a slight breeze to fan it alight.
• Parents/ guardians must ensure to supervise their children and keep matches and lighters out of their reach.
• If you are leaving your home vacant, ensure you have switched off all electrical appliances and switches. Also have a habit of informing a trusted person that can keep a watch on your home if you are away and inform immediately if there is a fire emergency.
• Sometimes it is possible for you to put out small fires on your own. If you have any doubts about doing so, evacuate immediately — closing the door behind you to contain the flames — and call 910.

NFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Puamau Sowane says every individual should take responsibility this Easter weekend and avoid any fire incident from happening.

Fire Safety is everyone’s responsibility and I would suggest every Fijian out there to be aware and alert of their surroundings and avoid any fire incidents,” he said.

Listening to National Fire Authority’s advises will help you prevent such incidents. If you are unaware of any fire safety tips or on how to keep your homes fire-safe, then we are just a call away,” he added.

I urge all Fijians to be alert with their surroundings and immediately call the toll-free fire emergency number 910 if you see any suspicious smoke or fire before attempting to put it out, so that firefighters can respond in the quickest time possible,” he added.

National Fire Authority wishes everyone a Happy and Fire-Safe Easter Holiday.

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