Many children and in particular boys, may develop an interest in fire or playing with lights or matches at some stage. It is accepted by Health proffessionals that an interest in fire by children is quite normal but care is necessary to ensure that your child doesn't get burnt or damages anything as a result of this curiosity.

CHILDREN AND FIRE FASCINATION

There are various reasons why children start fires, some of these reasons include:

• Curiosity and fascination is accepted as part of normal behavioral learning.
• Some children may start fires as part of individual attention seeking.
• Peer pressure from other children may have an element of malicious mischief that include setting fires.
• Health professionals advise that some children may have an unhealthy fire fascination that will require professional health treatment.
• Children are usually unaware that a tiny

The Cause of fire comes back to the human element, but, there are basic precautions that can be taken.

Some Useful hints are:

• Remove all accumulation of rubbish and unwanted materials at regular intervals.
• Make regular checks of all electrical appliances, chords, fuses, and how these appliances are being used.
• Position heating devices in safe locations - away from curtains, furniture, clothing, draughts.
• Install a home smoke alarm to give early warning of a fire outbreak.
• Install a suitable fire extinguisher in your home.
• Above all, good housekeeping minimises fire risks - be aware:
• It can happen when least expected...taken by surprise, you can find it difficult to think CLEARLY and act QUICKLY to do the 'right thing'.
• You should form a FAMILY FIRE PLAN AND PRACTICE so it becomes natural to do the 'right

Fire Safety Tip For Homes (Cookings, Smokers)

COOKING:

• Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading causes of injuries from fire. However, they are often extinguished with only minor damages when a person is generally present.
• Common causes of fires at night are carelessly cigarettes, sparks from fireplaces without spark screens or glass doors, and hot appliances left too close to furniture or other combustibles.
• These fires can be particularly dangerous because they may smolder for a long period of time before being discovered by sleeping residents.

ASHTRAYS:

• Have plenty of deep, large ashtrays or ones with large sides so as cigarettes or pipes cannot fall out.

DISPOSAL OF BUTTS:

• Don't

Businesses need to have plans to prevent fires and help their business recover should an unforeseen emergency occur.

IS YOUR BUSINESS FIRE SAFE?

The National Fire Authority recommends this simple safety checklist to assist your bussiness prevent damage that could be caused by fire.

• Teach your staff about workplace fire prevention and safety. For a small fee the National Fire Authority will provide the necessary basic training.
• Avoid storing or stockpiling flammable materials such as packaging materials or waste where they could be accessed by the public, including areas immediately outside your business premises.
• Make sure all machinery are serviced as recommended by manufacturers and is kept clean. If possible switch machinery off when the business is unattended.
• Secure all doors, windows or other access points when the business is unattended, and make sure your business

FACT!
One of the most important fire safety devices for the home is the smoke alarm. Several studies have concluded that when working smoke alarms are present, the chance of dying from the fire is reduced. The smoke alarms currently in place have saved many lives, but several problems exist:

• First, the 12% of homes without alarms have more than half fires;
• Second, it is estimated that a third of the smoke alarms in place are not often working due to failure to replace a worn out battery;
• And third, many homes have as many alarms as are needed to protect the occupants properly.
  SMOKE from fire is toxic, only early warning can help give your family vital time to escape a smoke filled room.

Also, when asleep you will not smell the smoke from a fire - in fact the smoke will put you into deeper sleep. A smoke alarm can provide the early warning you need and is the critical

PREVENTION FIRST, FIREMAN LAST

The National Fire Authority develops and delivers a range of community safety initiatives and prevention programs in order to educate people and communities on the prevention of potential fire hazards or minimizing the devastating impact of fires which will avoid unnecessary loss of homes, basic necessities and safety of human life.

FACT!

Fire Victims would have been much more likely to survive if they had an evacuation plan to help them get out of their homes faster.

Home Fire Escape Plan Check List
Every home and workplace should have a fire escape [Evacuation] plan. Accidental home fires by their very nature can catch people unawares. Without an escape plan you are placing your life and your family's lives in jeopardy. For a safer home or workplace, regularly practice the following escape tips:

• Know two safe routes out of every room.
• Draw your escape plan on paper and discuss with family or workmates.
• As you evacuate make sure you close internal doors behind you.
• Make sure that windows and doors can quickly open if and when required.
• Install smoke alarms, test them regularly and change the batteries at least once a year.
• Practice your escape plans regularly.
• If

The National Fire Authority (NFA) is reminding members of the community to be mindful of fire safety with the current rainy weather conditions and the aftermath of the flooding.

Yesterday afternoon, NFA attended to a fire incident at Rifle Range in Lautoka which partly damaged a three bedroom corrugated iron and timber house leaving two families homeless.

At 1127hrs, NFA received the fire emergency call and immediately responded to the fire call. Upon arrival at 1132hrs, the fire team saw the house fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters used deliveries of water to extinguish the fire and stopped it from spreading to nearby homes. No one was at home at the time of the fire incident.Firefighters saved one bedroom and the porch area of the three bedroom house structure. NFA CEO John O’Connor is advising members of the community to take extra care and be mindful of fire safety while using candles, kerosene lanterns and