The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Spreading awareness of fire-safe environment

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Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Spreading awareness of fire-safe environment

Serena Josephine. M

— Photo: Special Arrangement

Fire and Rescue Services personnel disseminating information on fire prevention near Ambur bus terminus .

TIRUPATTUR: This summer, the thrust is on preventing fire accidents. Taking measures for creating a fire-safe environment, personnel attached to the Fire and Rescue Services in Ambur, Vaniyambadi and Tirupattur are reaching out to residents, especially those living in huts, with information on preventing fire accidents.

With the Fire Services Week – observed from April 14 to 20 - coming to a close, the personnel have been visiting residential areas and public places to tell people about the do's and don'ts to protect themselves from fire accidents by distributing pamphlets and providing information through public address system. Besides promoting safe fire practices, they have been raising the need for awareness of disaster management and urging parents not to be careless in letting their children swim in waterbodies.

The personnel attached to the fire station at Ambur have so far covered areas including the Ambur bus terminus, Kannigapuram, Nethaji Road, huts in rural areas such as Sanangkuppam, Solur and Periyangkuppam, Thutipet, Ambedkar Nagar, Devalapuram, Sommalapuram, Veerakoil, Bazaar Street, Periyavarigam and Chinnavarigam, according to Station Fire Officer of Ambur Fire station K. Mannuvallalar.

“The theme for this year's Fire Services Week is ‘Let's work together for fire safe India.' We have been asking people, especially those living in huts, to take precautionary measures to prevent fire accidents. With the summer season on, people must be extra careful to avoid fire accidents,” he said.

Station Officer of Tirupattur fire station K. Munivel said that during their area visits, they have been stressing the need to be cautious while cooking. “Those who use coal or wood for cooking should put off the fire before disposing of it into the nearby garbage bin. Some of them throw the coal or wood with fire and a spark could lead to a fire at the nearby hut. People should use gas cylinders carefully and turn off the regulator before going to bed. They should wear cotton clothes while cooking,” he said.

Awareness messages have been conveyed to residents in several areas of Tirupattur, including Erikarai, Adhisakthi Nagar and Gautampettai. “With the summer vacation on, several children swim in ponds and lakes. There have been four to five cases of drowning in Tirupattur and parents should be cautious in letting their children swim in these waterbodies,” he added.

Fire Service personnel at Vaniyambadi have reached out to residents in Pudur bus terminus, Pathapettai, Pudur Chunnambukalai and Periyar Nagar. “We have also asked them to contact 101 immediately in case of any emergency,” leading fireman at Vaniyambadi fire station Gunasekaran said.

Mr. Mannuvallalar said the gas cylinders should be kept only in standing position, refrigerators should not be kept in kitchens, gas tubes should be checked for leakage and changed regularly and only cold water should be used on burns caused by fire and not coconut oil, ink and honey.

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