Editorial | Winter fire safety call

As winter bites, Kashmiri homes and markets get ready for the cold. Kangris are packed, heaters are lit, and electric blankets are taken out of the closet. With warmth comes also a quiet threat in the winter fire. Each year, the Valley experiences a steep rise in fire accidents in winter. People lose their lives, houses are burnt to the ground, and decades of hard-earned savings go up in smoke in a matter of minutes. The time is now to act.

Kashmir winter introduces a peculiar lifestyle. The decrease in temperature compels individuals to depend extensively on electric heaters, gas irons, and conventional firepots. The majority of residences are old wooden buildings with cramped spaces and common electricity lines. This combination of huge power load, old wiring, and reckless usage of heaters becomes a recipe for calamity.

Statistics from the Fire and Emergency Services Department indicate a troubling trend. While the winter months see the number of fire calls double that of the summer months. Short circuit is the major reason. Overloaded circuits, worn-out wires, and illegal connections all contribute. A major number of incidents also happen due to gas leakages as well as careless installation of kangris near bedding or curtains.

Prevention of fire during winter requires awareness and discipline. It is not solely the responsibility of the Fire Department. All households, all mohallas, all communities should be on guard. The government can make the system more robust, but without the help of citizens, prevention is not possible.

The first is inspection. Power Development Department and Fire Services should together initiate pre-winter inspection drives. Worn-out wiring and unauthorized extensions in old colonies and markets need to be inspected. Consumers can be encouraged to get their house wiring checked by authorized electricians before winter gains a foothold. A little expenditure in rewiring can avert a heavy loss.

Electric load management is also a very important step. High-voltage appliances such as blowers, rods, and boilers used in a single socket cause overheating. Residents need to spread the usage and keep away several devices in one extension cord. The Power Department must release clear public notices and run awareness drives in all districts.

Old-fashioned methods of heating also require careful handling. The kangri, while a cultural icon, is still one of the major causes of burn injuries. It is never to be placed close to bedding or used as a sleeper. Gas and kerosene heaters also have to be switched off before resting. Cylinders must also be kept safely and inspected for leaks.

The government can organize winter safety drives in schools and public centers. Mock drills and visual demonstrations can educate individuals on dealing with fire emergencies. The concept is to make awareness habitual.

Kashmiri firefighters are provided with challenging conditions in winter. Frozen water lines, narrow roads, and blocked roads impede response time. Fire and Emergency Services Department requires enhanced mobility support and pre-positioned resources. Small, flexible fire tenders should be provided in fire stations to operate in congested localities.

Even local volunteers can be trained as first responders. Panchayats and city wards can recognize young people and train them in minimal firefighting. Having a small contingent prepared in every locality can rein in small fires before they get out of hand.

The victims of fire also tend to suffer long waits for compensation. Most are uninsured. The government should encourage low-cost home insurance, particularly for poor families. Insurance firms can collaborate with local authorities to simplify enrollment. Relief money should be disbursed within days, not months, to enable the affected families to start their lives afresh.

Media has a very important role in prevention. Daily reporting of safety alerts, fire accidents, and precautionary measures keeps the public awake. Friday sermons and social gatherings can be utilized by religious leaders, mohalla committees, and social activists to create awareness.

Fire safety is not so much about equipment. It is about attitude. A simple gesture of concern turning off a heater at night, storing gas cylinders upright, or avoiding overloading a socket can save a life.

Winter is beautiful but comes at a cost. One cannot help but watch helplessly on winter nights as homes are reduced to ashes. Kashmir has learned the hard way over the years. It cannot learn it harder.

Every household has to make fire safety a routine. Every department has to give it the top priority. Then only will the next winter be safe, warm, and peaceful.

Warmth must be comforting and not frightening. The moment to respond is before the spark.