Winter’s Chill Brings Fire Safety Concerns: Officials Urge Caution
as temperatures plummet across the region,fire safety is taking center stage. A recent briefing held by the regional communications service highlighted the alarming increase in fire incidents during the heating season.
Deputy head of the Emergency Situations Department, Duman Daleshov, revealed a sobering statistic: 139 fires have already occurred since the start of the heating season, resulting in 11 fatalities, nine injuries, and six cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.
daleshov emphasized that the primary culprits behind these tragedies are frequently enough preventable: improper stove operation, the use of faulty or homemade heating devices, overloaded electrical networks, damaged wiring and sockets, and misuse of household gas appliances.To mitigate these risks, officials have issued crucial fire safety guidelines for both public and private spaces.
Protecting Lives in Public Places:
In buildings with a large, continuous presence of people, such as offices or hospitals, emergency lighting must be readily available in case of a power outage during a fire. Each person on duty should have access to a working lantern.
Commercial establishments face stricter regulations:
No hot work is permitted in sales areas when customers are present.
Flammable gas cylinders are strictly prohibited in sales areas. Staircase landings, vestibules, and evacuation routes cannot be used for storing trading machines, ATMs, terminals, or displaying goods.
Flammable and combustible liquids, except for medicines, medical products, cosmetics, and alcoholic beverages, are not allowed for sale in buildings not designated for retail purposes.
Entertainment areas for children are prohibited on the ground and basement floors of shopping and entertainment centers.
Staying Safe at Home:
The Emergency Department also stresses the importance of adhering to safe practices when using household gas appliances:
Storing and using gas cylinders is prohibited in residential apartment buildings with more than two floors. Balconies and loggias are not suitable for storing gas cylinders.
Never place gas cylinders near heating appliances or stoves when bringing them indoors from the cold. Unauthorized gasification, replacement, or repair of gas appliances and cylinders is strictly forbidden.
Refilling gas cylinders at gas filling stations is not permitted.
Never overfill gas cylinders beyond the maximum limit of 85% of thier total capacity.
Never leave operating gas appliances unattended.
Avoid using open flames to check for gas leaks.
Keep gas appliances out of reach of children.
Daleshov concluded by urging residents to prioritize fire safety: “by following these simple rules, you can protect your home, your belongings, and most importantly, your life. Remember, your safety is in your hands. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.”
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Winter Warmer? Hot Topics: An Expert Discusses Rising Fire Risk During Heating Season
as the region braces against plunging temperatures, the threat of winter fires escalates. Tragically, figures released by emergency services paint a concerning picture with 139 fires occurring already this season, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and instances of carbon monoxide poisoning. In a recent briefing, Deputy Head of the Emergency Situations Department, Duman Daleshov, underscored the chilling reality: numerous fire incidents stemmed from preventable factors.
Time.news: Fire incidents spike considerably during winter – why is the heating season the culprit?
Doman Daleshov: 🌡️Winter substantially increases the risks of fire occurrences due to factors such as faulty heating systems, misuse of heat sources, overburdened electrical outlets, and gas leaks. Our investigation reveals, regrettably, a majority of these fires start with preventable, simple mistakes within homes and establishments.
Time.news: Some guidelines were laid out to lessen fire risks this season. Are you seeing more adherence to safe practices?
D.D. 🧑🚒: fire safety awareness must permeate households and businesses equally. While several steps are adopted, there remains ample room for enhancement. Overloading electrical networks, neglecting annual checks on heaters, and improvising heating setups, remain recurrent dangers. A concerted effort promoting these safety recommendations throughout the population is crucial to ensure everyone practices responsible fire prevention.
Time.news: The guidelines suggest different rules between commercial spaces (offices, hotels, shops, etc.) vs. residential locations. Why these distinctions? 🤸♂️🏢
D.D.: Public areas house larger, more diverse numbers of individuals making the potential devastation larger. Buildings serving the general public demand robust safety measures compared to individual households. Emergency plans, readily available exit routes, properly functioning extinguishers, as well as a clear understanding among staff & occupants about response procedures, create crucial safety checkpoints in these sites.
Time.news: Residents may not recognise hazards lurking. Are there steps specific homeowners SHOULD focus on beyond standard precautions like checking smoke alarms? 👩🍳🧯🏡
D.D.:. Homeowners specifically must prioritize household gas appliance upkeep. Never forget to ensure good ventilation, follow manufacturer instructions closely, and enlist licensed professionals for repairs to prevent gas leak catastrophes. likewise, avoid positioning flammable materials dangerously near heating systems, ensuring safety blankets are nearby to prevent falls and burns especially among children in a heated area.
Time.news: We thank you Mr. Daleshov. Your reminders will benefit both homeowners and establishments navigating this chillier season. Any final urgent messages for Time.news’ readership? 🤔
D.D.: 💬: Staying vigilant about fire Safety is everybody’s duty, not simply an obligation for officials. Stay informed, diligently observe precautions in both public spaces and personal dwellings, never underestimate the peril posed by inadequate preparation.Safety first, joy second-that’s how we tackle this winter and protect ourselves together.