Srinagar: With the onset of winter and a rise in fire-related incidents, the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a comprehensive advisory urging residents to strictly follow safety measures while using electrical heating devices, Kangris, and LPG appliances. The department stressed the need for heightened vigilance to prevent avoidable fire tragedies that commonly occur during the cold season.
The advisory outlines key preventive steps for both households and commercial establishments. It advises people to ensure all heating appliances—such as room heaters, Bukharis, and LPG stoves—are switched off before leaving home or going to bed.
Special caution has been issued regarding the use of Kangris, the traditional Kashmiri firepots, urging people to keep them in safe positions at night to prevent accidental fires. Residents have also been advised against storing dry grass, wood, or other flammable materials inside or near their homes, as they can easily ignite.
The department further warned against the use of defective or substandard electrical appliances, faulty blankets, or high-wattage heaters, which can cause short circuits. It recommended the use of quality fuses, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), and proper earthing to minimize electrical hazards.
People have been asked to remain in the kitchen while cooking, turn off LPG stoves and cylinders immediately after use, and ensure proper ventilation when using LPG heaters. The advisory also reminds citizens to avoid carelessly discarding lit cigarette butts and to keep escape routes and water access points unobstructed, especially in densely populated areas.
“In case of any fire emergency, citizens should immediately contact the nearest fire station or call the Fire & Emergency Services helpline,” the department stated. The toll-free emergency number 101 and control room numbers for Srinagar (0194-2452155, 2452222) and Jammu (0191-2457705, 2435283) are available for prompt assistance.
Officials said the advisory is part of an annual awareness campaign to minimize fire incidents that typically increase in winter due to heavy use of heating equipment. The department also appealed to local media, civic authorities, and educational institutions to help spread fire safety awareness across Jammu and Kashmir.
