Srinagar: Amid a growing number of fire incidents during the onset of winter, the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a detailed advisory urging the public to adopt strict safety measures while using electrical heating gadgets, Kangris, and LPG appliances. The department has emphasized vigilance to prevent avoidable tragedies caused by domestic fires that typically rise during the cold season.
The advisory highlights a series of preventive steps for households and commercial establishments. It cautions people to ensure that all electrical heating devices, including room heaters, Bukharis, and LPG stoves, are properly switched off before leaving home or going to bed.
The department has particularly warned against the careless use of Kangris, a traditional Kashmiri firepot, advising people to keep them in safe places at night to avoid accidental toppling and subsequent fires. Residents have also been urged not to store dry grass, wood, or other flammable materials inside or near their homes, as such materials can easily fuel fires.
The advisory further instructs the public to avoid using faulty or substandard electrical appliances, defective blankets, or high-wattage heaters, all of which can trigger short circuits. It recommends using high-quality fuses and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) with proper earthing to prevent electrical hazards.
People have been advised to stay in the kitchen while cooking and to switch off LPG stoves and cylinders immediately after use. Adequate ventilation should be ensured when operating LPG heaters. The advisory also reminds locals not to discard lit cigarette butts carelessly and to keep all escape routes and water access points clear, especially in densely populated residential and market areas.
“In case of any fire emergency, citizens should immediately contact the nearest fire station or call the Fire & Emergency Services helpline,” the department said. The toll-free emergency number 101 and control room numbers for Srinagar (0194-2452155, 2452222) and Jammu (0191-2457705, 2435283) have been made available for prompt assistance.
Officials said the advisory is part of an annual awareness campaign aimed at reducing fire-related losses that typically surge during the winter due to excessive use of heating devices and electricity. The department has also appealed to local media, civic bodies, and educational institutions to help spread the message of fire safety across all districts of the Union Territory. [KNT]
