Aside the operational cost, false alarms were dangerous errors that must be avoided, “hitherto it was children but now even adults call and you get to the scene and there is no fire, meanwhile somewhere else may also need the same service and in fire fighting, every second counts to saving lives and properties,” Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) Emmanuel Bonney, Public Relations Officer of the Regional Command told the Ghana News Agency.

According to him last year, the Command recorded nine false alarms with total fire outbreaks accounting for 360 as against 473 in 2016 a decrease of 113 representing 23.9 per cent. ADO Bonney who gave the breakdown of fires in 2017, said the first quarter and second quarters recorded 163 and 80 fires whiles 90 cases was registered for the third quarter with October in the same year recording 26 cases.

The estimated cost of damage in the first quarter was GHC 823,617.82, and GHC 6,337,835.26 for the second and GHC 121, 034.00 for the third quarter whilst October recorded GHC 31,834.00.

Meanwhile, there were more than 181 injuries with six deaths.

ADO Bonney said the harmattan season was around and there was the need for the public to observe fire safety measures particularly at homes to avoid fire incidences. "This is the time we have to be wary of mosquito coils and candles and its usage…we do not have to put this naked fires on bare floors, on top of TVs and radios or even near a partition in the room as these may easily cause fire outbreak”.

He also urged drivers to be careful on the road, mindful of speed rumps and also called on welders working on cars to ensure that all fuels were properly disposed of before carrying out any welding works on vehicles to avoid fire outbreak. ADO Bonney expressed grateful to the media, traditional authorities and the public for helping to minimize the incidence of outbreaks, adding, “We hope to record a single digit in the near future”.