The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Saturday urged Lagos State residents to be safety-conscious and avoid fire outbreak as dry season approaches.

Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA South-West spokesman, made the call during interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

“The dry season is fast approaching as we are getting towards the end of the year.”

Farinloye said the South-West was a wind storm disaster prone zone which usually aided the spread of fire in the dry season.

“It is important for people to know this in order to curtail persistent fire outbreaks, which commonly occurs during the dry season.

“Most residential buildings in Lagos state also serve as shop space. They over populate the buildings and expose occupants to dangers such as fire outbreak.

“Shop owners and residents should always be cautious in handling flammable materials and electrical appliances to avoid fire outbreak.

“Most shop owners are careless in handling such appliances; they mostly forget to put out their appliances after the close of work.

“This can later lead to fire outbreaks if not properly managed in populated environment. It poses high risk of damage to occupants and their properties.”

Farinloye also advised market associations that had benefited from the agency’s sensitisation campaigns against fire outbreak, to also enlighten other shop-owners.

He also called on residents to observe safety measures in their environments all through the dry season to prevent fire disasters.

“We need to continue sensitising and informing the public on the importance of safety measures in residential and business environments to curtail fire outbreaks.” (NAN)