House fires in Lagos are common, and most start the same few ways: faulty wiring, a power surge when the grid returns, an overloaded extension, a gas leak, or a generator and its fuel. Most are preventable.
Electrical
- Have the wiring checked by a qualified electrician when you move in, especially in an older building.
- Surges: when power is restored it often comes back with a surge. Use surge protectors and stabilisers, and switch big appliances off at the wall during an outage.
- Do not overload extensions or chain them together, and replace any plug or socket that is warm, scorched or loose.
Gas, generators and fuel
Keep cooking gas cylinders outside or well ventilated, check for leaks, and never refuel a running or hot generator. Store petrol away from the house, in proper containers.
Gas cylinder safety Generators
Be ready
- A fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and know how to use it.
- A fire blanket for pan fires; never put water on burning oil.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, tested monthly.
Getting out
Burglar bars and locked gates that keep thieves out also trap people in.
- Keep keys to the security doors and gates where everyone in the house can reach them in the dark.
- Make sure at least one window or door in each part of the house can be opened from inside quickly.
- Agree a meeting point outside.
If there is a fire, get everyone out, stay low under smoke, and call the fire service from outside.