Fire Safety Alert: JKDMA issues life-saving winter guidelines

Srinagar : With temperatures plummeting in Kashmir valley, Jammu & Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) has issued critical fire safety guidelines, stating that fire incidents were on the rise in the region during the winters.
JKDMA has urged people to prioritize safety measures to protect lives and property from fire incidents during the harsh winter months.
Sharing the fire safety guidelines, JKDMA has advised to install smoke detectors and smoke alarms in all buildings, stating that its functioning can increase survival chances by 50 per cent.
With regard to electrical safety, the guidelines have advised to avoid running electric wires or cords under carpets or in high- foot traffic areas.
For children safety, the guidelines have mentioned keeping matches and lighters locked away from children. The guidelines have advised placing extinguishers at strategic locations, ensuring that they are functional, and training household members to use them during emergencies.
In another set of guidelines issued by JKDMA with regard to the response to facing or getting caught up in a fire incident, it has asked to stay calm and to evacuate immediately and call emergency services. The guidelines have advised not to re-enter the building.
In case the clothing catches fire, the guidelines have advised to drop to the ground and roll to extinguish flames. It has advised to avoid running, stating that the air will ‘accelerate’ the burning.
The guidelines have mentioned that a shower can also quickly douse flames.
The JKDMA in the guidelines have stressed the importance of fire safety education to mitigate risks during winters, when reliance on heating devices increases significantly.
The advisory has asked to ensure proper ventilation, not leaving heating devices unattended, and keeping flammable materials away from heat sources are essential practices.