The Federal Fire Service (FFS), Gombe State Command, has extended warm felicitations to the Muslim Ummah and residents of Gombe State and its environs on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The Command noted that festive periods are often associated with increased use of charcoal, firewood, cooking gas, frying oils, and the roasting of animal parts such as heads, legs and skins. It therefore urged members of the public to strictly adhere to fire safety measures in order to prevent fire outbreaks, burns, flooding and other avoidable emergencies.
According to the Command, residents should ensure that animals are roasted only in open and well-ventilated areas, far away from residential buildings, shops, filling stations and other combustible materials. Members of the public were also cautioned against leaving cooking, frying or roasting activities unattended.
The Service further warned against overheating cooking oil, stressing that excessively heated oil can easily ignite and result in serious fire incidents. In the event of a grease or oil fire, residents were advised not to pour water on the flames, but instead switch off the heat source and carefully cover the pan with a metal lid or thick damp cloth.
Parents and guardians were equally advised to keep children away from cooking areas, charcoal pots, gas cylinders and open flames. The Command also encouraged residents to ensure that gas cylinders are properly connected and, where possible, kept outside enclosed kitchen spaces.
The advisory further warned against the use of petrol, kerosene or other flammable substances to ignite charcoal or firewood, noting that such practices could lead to explosions and severe burns. Residents were also urged to completely extinguish charcoal after use and dispose of hot ashes safely.
The Federal Fire Service cautioned against the use of charcoal stoves indoors or in poorly ventilated rooms due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It also advised residents to switch off electrical appliances when not in use and avoid overloading electrical sockets during the celebration period.
As part of precautionary measures, the Command encouraged households to keep functional fire extinguishers, buckets of sand or reliable water sources nearby during cooking and roasting activities. Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and security conscious throughout the festivities.
On environmental safety, the Service strongly advised members of the public against dumping refuse, animal waste or sacrificial remains into drainage channels, warning that blocked drainages could result in flooding, environmental hazards and destruction of property, particularly during rainfall. Residents were also encouraged to maintain proper sanitation around homes, markets and worship centres.
The Command further advised the public to remain calm during emergencies, evacuate people from danger areas and immediately seek assistance in the event of any fire outbreak or related incident.
The Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives, property and the environment before, during and after the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.