Saf Health Work.  2016 Dec;7(4):284-292. 10.1016/j.shaw.2016.02.004.

Trend of Fire Outbreaks in Ghana and Ways to Prevent These Incidents

• Addai EK
• Tulashie S
• Annan JS
• Yeboah I

• KMID: 2425193
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2016.02.004

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In Ghana, fire incidents have become a regular occurrence, with thousands of lives and millions of dollars lost every year. Hardly a day passes without news of a fire outbreak in some part of Ghana, causing fear and panic among the people. This generates much discussion centering on rumors relating to politics, sabotage, misfortune, religious differences, etc. This article seeks to discuss the trend of fire incidents occurring in Ghana from 2000 to 2013 and the different ways to prevent these incidents.
METHODS
The pattern of fire incidence in Ghana as a whole as well as in each region is discussed. The study took into consideration the causes, mechanisms, as well as preventive measures against the fire menace. Data were obtained from the head office of Ghana's national fire service.
RESULTS
It was noticed that in general the rate of fire incidence increased each year. This increase was attributed to several factors: rate of population growth and industrialization, unstable electricity, urbanization, negligence, illegal electrical connection, etc. The cause of fire was categorized into domestic, industrial, vehicular, institutional, electrical, commercial, bush, and others. Among these causes, domestic fire accounted for 41% of the total number of fire incidents in the country.
CONCLUSION
Finally, this study presents several recommendations to help prevent and mitigate fire incidents in Ghana.

Keyword

cause of fire; fire development; fire in Ghana; prevention of fire

MeSH Terms

Disease Outbreaks*
Electricity
Fires*
Ghana*
Head
Incidence
Malpractice
Panic
Politics
Population Growth
Urbanization