The Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have urged students to adopt fire safety measures and embrace disaster preparedness to protect lives and property.
The agencies gave the advice on Tuesday during a sensitisation exercise at the Federal Government College, Kaduna, to mark the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, themed “Resilience Starts at Home”.
The State Controller of the FFS Kaduna Command, Mr Aminu Kiyawa, identified faulty electrical wiring, overloaded sockets and improper handling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as potential causes of fire outbreaks.
“During an emergency, students need to know what to do, when to do it and how to respond,” he said.
Kiyawa warned students against using water to extinguish electrical fires, advising them to disconnect the power supply when it was safe to do so and use appropriate firefighting equipment.
He urged the school management to establish fire safety clubs and develop emergency response plans to ensure regular safety checks.
Similarly, the Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer at NEMA’s Kaduna Operations Office, Mrs Ikramat Muazu, said the exercise focused on identifying local hazards, improving home safety and recognising early warning signs.
“People need to understand the hazards around them to prepare adequately and reduce the impact of disasters,” she said.
Muazu said the school was selected because it brought together students from different backgrounds and parts of Kaduna State.
She urged residents to recognise early warning signs and take prompt action to minimise the loss of lives and property.
The exercise featured a fire simulation and first aid demonstrations by the Nigerian Red Cross.
