Fire hazards in India have been a common cause of accidents in both residential as well as commercial places. The damages caused by fire accidents have long-standing huge consequences both in terms of lives and living hoods. As a country, India has been witnessing outbreak of frequent fire hazards of various magnitudes.
Most of these fire incidents are caused due to lack of Safety equipment and training to arrest the Fire in time. In 2021, India sadly recorded 1.6 million fire accidents, with 27,027 innocent lives lost. This series in initialize with a motto: Security has to be a forethought not an afterthought.
Common causes of fires:
The most common causes of fire in premises can vary depending on the type of property and its use. However, some of the most common causes of fire in premises include:
- Cooking equipment: Cooking equipment, such as stovetops and ovens, are a common cause of fires in residential properties.
- Electrical equipment and wiring: Electrical faults, such as overloaded circuits, frayed wires, and faulty electrical appliances, can cause fires in both residential and commercial properties.
- Heating equipment: Heating equipment, such as space heaters and furnaces, can cause fires if not used correctly or if they are faulty.
- Smoking: Smoking materials, such as cigarettes and matches, can cause fires if not disposed of properly or if they come into contact with flammable materials.
- Flammable liquids: Flammable liquids such as oil, cleaning solvents, sprays can ignite if they come into contact with a heat source or intent sunlight.
- Open flames: Open flames, such as candles and incense, Diya, tandoor, can cause fires if left unattended or if they come into contact with flammable materials.
- Human error: Accidents caused by human error, such as leaving a stove unattended or failing to properly dispose of smoking materials ,match sticks, fire crackers can also cause fires.
It is important to take steps to prevent fires in your premises, such as ensuring that smoke detectors are installed and working properly, using electrical appliances and heating equipment correctly, and properly disposing of smoking materials and flammable liquids. It is also important to have an evacuation plan in place in case of a fire and to regularly practice fire drills.
Are you fire safe in the home?
This is a simple safety checklist to assist in keeping your home fire safe.
- Installing smoke alarms at vulnerable places and testing them regularly is the first step in your home fire safety plan.
- Having a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan in case of fire and practicing it regularly. While making a plan consider escape of elderly/differently abled/Pets as well.
- Make sure keys to all locked doors are readily accessible in case you need to escape.
- Never leave cooking or any other open flame unattended.
- Smoking is always injurious. Still if you smoke in house be careful. Don’t smoke in bed and take extra care if consuming alcohol whilst smoking.
- In Winter take extra care when using heaters, electric blankets, or open fires.
- Don’t overload power points and switch off appliances when not in use. Follow the guidelines recommended by the manufacturers while using Electric/Electronic gadgets.
- Always keep lighters and matches away from children and educate them that they are “tools not toys” to only be used by responsible adults.
If you have electric or wood Tandoor always check that it is in safe working order before lighting and that it is always in the care of a responsible adult when in use.
Fire safety tips
- Remember that smoke from a fire will make you confused and that you cannot see in smoke. So, you have to rely on your memory and rehearsals in case of actual events. So do it well….
- When asleep you will not smell smoke and it will in fact put you into a deeper sleep particularly gas like Carbon Monoxide. This is an odorless colorless gas so difficult to figure it out. Smoke Detector Installation is a great idea to prevent such incidents.
- If you have escaped from a home fire, remember once you get out stay out and dial 101/999
- Use fuses of recommended rating and install an electrical safety switch.
The Next series will be on the Equipment required for Fire Safety in Premise and the self-Assessment to build your SQ-Safety Quotient..
After All,” Safety has to be a forethought not an afterthought.”
Neha Dasadia
Director: Transit Group of Companies
Founder: Transit Training Center, eTransit Security Systems
This is a powerful and much-needed reminder that fire safety must be proactive, not reactive. The data on fire accidents is alarming, and your checklist offers practical, life-saving steps—especially around smoke detectors, safe appliance use, and having an escape plan. Looking forward to the next post on essential fire safety equipment and self-assessment. Awareness like this can truly save lives.