LASEMA RELEASES SAFETY TIPS [Don’t Overlook #3

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) is an arm of Lagos State Government that handles Emergency & Rescue Operations across the state headed by Dr. Femi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu.

The agency has released some guidelines on how to prevent fire and safety tips for motorists. If you have any Emergency or notice any accident in any part of Lagos, please call Emergency Toll Free Number 767 or 112. Below are the tips:

YOU CAN PREVENT FIRE & ALSO MITIGATE ITS IMPACT

• Ensure candles are not placed on tables, carpets or any combustible materials • Don’t store petroleum products or combustible materials in your homes • Usage of generators in a centralized location within the market with safety measures in place • Switch off all electrical appliances after office hours or when not in use at home • Avoid the use of naked cables and illegal connection • Install fire extinguishers and learn how to use them in your various facilities • Ensure that only professionals carry out your electrical installations. Don’t overload sockets • Raise an alarm by breaking the glass of the nearest fire alarm point in your office building or shout. FIRE! FIRE!! FIRE!!!

COLLAPSED BUILDING CAN BE PREVENTED

• Obtain approved building plan for building construction • Conduct appropriate soil test and integrity/stability test at every stage of building construction • Ensure usage of correct proportion of building material for construction • Ensure proper plumbing work in building construction • Employ the services of professionals not quacks • Provide facilities for storm & waste water collection to prevent flooding & building collapse • Embrace insurance of properties.

SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORISTS

• Road users are strictly warned to avoid road vices such as overloading, under-age-driving, drunk driving, speed limit violation, driving while using mobile phone, non use of seat belt • Motorists are also reminded of the need for continuous routine check on their vehicles before entering the road, wipers, brakes, windscreen and functional lights should be properly checked • Travelers, especially transporters to avoid fatigue while driving • Drivers are also advised against over inflated and under inflated tyres • Tokunbo and worn-out tyres (expired tyres) are potential catalysts for road crashes • Obey all traffic rules and drive safe. It is better to be late and still be alive, than to be the late.

YOU CAN PREVENT FLOODING

• Early warning on flood risk is important • Please watch out for flood warning • Avoid setting up permanent structure (e.g. Houses) in areas vulnerable to flood, such as low lying areas or flood plain, near dams and reservoirs • Ensure proper land use to minimise overgrazing, erosion or deforestation e.t.c. • Clear all blocked drainage systems or gutters near your residence/work place • Listen to daily weather report on radio or television • Do not build on flood plains • Head for higher ground and stay away from flooded areas • Where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way • If in a car, do not attempt to drive through flood.