The Lagos State Government has warned against unsafe fuel storage in homes, markets and workplaces which can result in fires with resultant loss of lives and property.
This warning comes following messages received from residents of Festac town in the State over unsafe sale of fuel on roads which could endanger the lives of citizens in the environs.
The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola said that the State would come down hard on persistent defaulters of this dastardly act and ensure it prevents hazards from happening as we begin a new year.
Mojola declared that the Commission was working with the Lagos State Taskforce on monitoring and enforcement against public safety infractions across the State.
“The dry weather occasioned by the harmattan weather, coupled with storage of fuel in homes, marketplaces, workplaces and the careless disposal of cigarettes stubs, adulterated fuel, electrical surges and sparks, petrol leakages, illegal wire connections often trigger to fires that can lead to loss of lives and properties.”
He stressed that the Commission as a regulatory agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of lives and properties carries out its activities through proactive process of policy formulation, setting safety standards, carrying out advocacy programs to promote safety culture in the State goes a long way to prevent accidents and protect the citizens.
He highlighted some preventable causes of explosions.
According to him “Do not store fuel at home, shops or marketplaces because it is extremely dangerous to place generating sets on decking of storey buildings and they should be kept outside the building and at a distance.
“People should always ensure your generator is switched off before fueling and endeavor to have a fire extinguisher in your home, shops and marketplaces and do not leave electrical appliances on and unattended to, switch them off when not in use.”
He also enjoined residents not to overload sockets with multiple electrical appliances and should Install smoke alarms or detectors in their homes, offices and stores.
The Director General therefore implored members of the public to support the government to fight menace of fire and gas incidences ravaging our polity.
In case of emergency, residents can call 112 or 767.
PIAK
