As per the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) forecast on the seasonal outlook for the temperature from March – May 2021 in the State of Goa will be facing an extreme hot weather condition and rise in Maximum temperature above of the normal maximum temperature and minimum temperature above normal minimum temperature with corresponding Red Colour Code.

Following are the important links (IEC materials) on Heat Wave preparedness and Mitigation measures.

https://ndma.gov.in/Resources/awareness/heatwave
https://ndma.gov.in/Resources/awareness/lightning
https://ndma.gov.in/Resources/sign_videos/Early-warning-Heatwave
https://ndma.gov.in/Resources/sign_videos/heat-wave-preparedness
https://ndma.gov.in/Resources/booklets

You Can Stop Fires

High rise buildings are posed with greater fire risk, and we want to ensure citizens are aware of the safety measures in case such an incidence occurs.

Do's 

• Acquaint yourself with the layout of the escape routes, staircases, refuge areas and the location of fire alarms.
• Train yourself and the security personnel in the proper operation and use of first-aid hose reel provided at each floor level and fire extinguishers. Also train them in switching on the fire pump, at ground/basement level and also the booster pump at terrace level, and the method of summoning the Fire Brigade Department in the event of a fire.
• Keep always closed the fire doors of staircases, main entrance to the factory building/ company
• All the fire protection installations such as fire pumps, wet riser-cum-downcomer, sprinkler installation, fire extinguishers,etc. should be kept in a good state. Timely use of these will help in controlling/extinguishing the fires in the early stages, thereby minimizing life losses and property losses.
• Always maintain good housekeeping.
• Ground all the lifts, including FIRE LIFT, in case of a fire.
• Practice evacuation drills periodically.
• Irrespective of the magnitude of fire, summon the Fire Brigade at the earliest.
• Seek the advice and guidance of Fire Brigade Department in the matter of fire safety.
• In case of fire, guide the Fire Brigade Department personnel about the location and extent of fire, information about trapped persons, if any, and provide any other information they may request. Help them to help you.
• Remember, FIREMAN IS YOUR FRIEND.

Dont's 

• Do not allow encroachments or storages in the courtyards of the building. Open courtyards are required for placing and operating the fire and rescue appliances in case of emergency.
• Do not allow storages or obstructions in the common corridors and staircases. These exit routes, if maintained clear, will help easy escape in case of fire.
• Do not allow the Fire doors of the staircases to be kept open. In case of fire, heat and smoke enters the staircases and prevent the escape of people.
• In case of fire, do not use LIFTS for escape. They may fail midway trapping people inside. Use only staircases.
• Do not allow Electric Meter Rooms to be used as storages, dumping places or as living quarters for servants. They are potential fire hazards.
• During Diwali Season, do not keep any combustibles in the balconies. Do not dry clothes in the balconies or outside the building line. Flying crackers have caused serious fires.
• Do not use the basement for any purpose other than permitted purpose. Because of ill-ventilation, habitation or working in the basement will make a death trap for people.
• Continuous electrical ducts through the height of the building enable the fire to spread from one floor to another. Seal them at each floor slab level.
• Do not allow Air-Condition ducting to pass through one floor to another, because fire, heat and smoke travel through these ducts and spread to the other part of the building. Sectionalise them, as far as practical even on a particular floor, so as to limit the spread of fire, heat and smoke, and minimise the damages.
• Never paint or coat fire detectors or sprinkler heads. If done, they will become ineffective.
• Do not re-enter the ire affected building to collect the valuables or for any other purpose. It may cost your life.
• Do not decorate walls and ceilings of common corridors with combustible material such as wooden paneling etc. They create unwarranted fire risk in the escape route in case of fire.
• Do not allow Fire fighting tanks to be misused or remain empty. Do not block access to the tank. You/Fire Service may need them for use at any moment.
• Avoid damage to wet riser system. It has been provided for your use to extinguish/check spread of fire before arrival of Fire Brigade. It's good maintenance ensures your safety.
• Do not 'switch off' Fire/Smoke Detection System. This may lead to fire remaining unnoticed till it assumed large magnitude
• Do not 'switch off' electricity of the entire building in the event of a fire. This will cause stoppage of all the fire protection and fire fighting system installed in the building.

Do not carry out additions and alteration in the building. Consult Fire Brigade before undertaking such works.

Guidelines for Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures

Tips for Fire Safety - Adults

Cooking Safety

• Be attentive and alert while cooking. Unattended cooking can lead to a kitchen fire
• Tuck in all loose ends of clothing and keep a safe distance from fire
• Items such as towels, wooden spoons and food packages may catch fire. Move items these items away from stoves and open flames
• Keep match sticks and lighters out of children’s reach
• Keep hot utensils out of children’s reach as it may cause severe burn. Young children should keep a safe distance from the cooking area. Teach older children about cooking safety

Preventing Burns and Scalds

• Children love to reach so keep hot food and liquids away from the edge of counters and tables
• It is not advisable to hold a child while cooking or handling hot liquids. It can cause a burn or scald to your infant 
• Check the temperature of hot water before bathing a child
• Be careful and keep children away from a bucket of water which has a heating rod immersed in it

Safety around Electrical Appliances

• Be careful not to overload electric sockets as this may cause overheating and result in fire
• Do not use electrical appliances with wet hands, in wet clothes or shoes
• Unplug and safely store electrical appliances such as irons, toasters and water heating rod immediately after using them and out of children’s reach
• Ensure that electric wires do not run on the ground or under carpets. Replace worn out or damaged wires immediately

Safety around Open Flames

• Keep burning candles, mosquito coils and oil lamps out of children’s reach and away from furniture, curtains, and other flammable items. Remember to blow out candles and turn off oil lamps before going to sleep
• Ensure that cigarette butts are properly doused and disposed in an ashtray and not in the dustbin

Fire Cracker Safety Tips

• Wear fitted cotton clothes that do not catch fire easily when  bursting fire crackers
• Teach children to wait for an adult before lighting firecrackers
• Use long stick to light a fire cracker. It is unsafe to light a firecracker in your hand
• It is not safe to re-light a firecracker that did not ignite the first time
• Keep a bucket of sand or water nearby when lighting a firecracker
• Find an open area away from trees and homes before lighting a fire cracker. Do not light firecrackers inside the house

Safety in a Fire Emergency

• Create and practice a fire escape plan with your family and identity a safe meeting place outside the home
• If there is fire exit the house immediately
• If there is lot of smoke and it is difficult to see, get low and crawl out of the house as quickly as possible
• Know the emergency contact numbers of the fire brigade (101/112) and ambulance (108) in Goa

 Citizen’s Handbook On Fire Safety And Disaster Preparedness

 Citizen’s Handbook On Fire Safety And Disaster Preparedness (Konkani)

 Citizen’s Handbook On Fire Safety And Disaster Preparedness (Marathi)

Tips for Fire Safety - Children

Preventing Fire & Burn

• Stay away from anything that is hot.
• Keep a safe distance from boiling water and hot oils.
• Check the temperature of hot beverages before drinking.
• Keep a safe distance from cooking area.

Safety around Electrical Appliances

• Use electrical appliances only after asking your parents.
• Do not use electrical appliances if your hands, cloths or shoes are wet.
• If you see frayed wires or cords, do not touch them. Tell a parent immediately. 
• Do not stick finger, toys or other objects into an electrical outlet.
• Avoid overloading electric sockets as it may cause overheating and result in a fire.

Firecracker Safety

• Use a long stick to light a firecracker.
• Light a firecracker at an arm’s length.
• Wait for an Adult before lighting firecrackers. 
• Wear fitted cotton clothes that do not catch fire easily when lighting firecrackers.
• It is not safe to re-light firecracker that did not ignite the first time. 
• Find an open area away from trees and homes before lighting a firecracker.
• Keep a bucket of sand or water nearby when lighting firecrackers in case there is a fire.

Safety around Open Flames

• Keep burning candles and oil lamps away from furniture, bedding, curtains, carpet books, and other flammable items and decorations.
• Stay away from matchsticks and lighters. 
• Remember to blow out candles and turn off oil lamps before going to sleep.

Safety in Fire Emergency

• Never go back inside a burning house, once you are out, stay out!
• If there is a lot of smoke and it is difficult to see, get low and crawl out of the house as quickly as possible. 
• If you are in a building which is on fire, use the stairs and not the elevator or lift to exit.
• Know the emergency contact numbers of the fire brigade (101/112) and ambulance (108) in Goa.

 Student Guide to Fire & Emergency Preparedness

 Survival Guide in case of Fire

 

Fire = Fuel + Heat + Oxygen

Triangle of Combustion

All combustion process involves the important factors: -

1. A combustible material or fuel must be present
2. Oxygen, either form air or from some other oxygen supplying substance must be present
3. Heat (a portion of the two material must be heated to a temperature at which combustion will be initiated)

Combustion will occur as long as the three factors present.

Removal of one of them caused the triangle to collapse and further combustion stop.

LPG Safety Tips:

• Check rubber tubes regularly for cracks, if any change rubber tube at least on in two year
• Strike the match first then open the burner knob of your stove
• Do’s in case of leakage
• Don’t switch on/off any electrical equipment inside the house
• Don’t light matches, lighter, stove etc
• Before using the cylinder check for leakage from cylinder valve and other joint by applying soap solution
• Always keep the cylinder in vertical position with valve on top and installed at ground level on a flat surface
• If leakage is from the valve immediately put the safety cap or use your bath soap the leakage from valve
• Take the cylinder in an open area and contact the distributor or emergency service cell

In Case of Fire what to do

• Do not run
• Do not panic
• Do not take shelter in toilet
• Inform fire brigade about fire alert neighbors
• Shut all the doors behind you
• Make exit to ground level instead of terrace
• Do not use lift to escape
• Use nearest means of escape and the staircase available
• If possible use fire extinguisher
• If you know the details of fire/fire extinguishing system provided, inform the fire brigade personnel on their arrival

How to Call Fire Brigade

• Control room duty officer receives your call
• Give him detailed address, nature of incident and telephone number from which you are calling
• Keep down the receiver and wait. Control room will call back to verify the call
• Wait for the fire person, co-operate with firemen
• Organizing fire & evacuation drill

Mock Drills

Mock drills are arranged from time to time by government / semi-government institutes, schools colleges, shopping malls, five star hotels and industrial estates. Fire brigade participates in mock drills and gives guidance and imparts training to the participants with regard to the use of fire equipment and what measures to be adopted in emergency situations.

Objectives of conducting Mock Drills:

1. To take measures when the fire breaks out.
2. To take the precautionary measures while the fire is being extinguished.
3. To escape from the burning building.
4. To help the fire victims.
5. To make use of sand, clay, water and wet clothes to bring fire under control.

During mock drills, people are very carefully informed how to rescue themselves from the site of fire, how to contact the nearest hospitals and how to get medical aids in time. Overall, the responses from the citizen are satisfactory. The citizens get the solution to their questions after the mock drill is over. After watching the mock drills, common people can get the idea about how to rescue themselves. These mock drills include how people can make the best use of fire prevention equipment promptly.

CBRN Contingencies

Guidelines for Public Officials to Handle Cases of Reported or Suspected Presence of Radioactive Material in the Public Domain