KNOWING what to do in the event a fire breaks out in or around your home, school or church is critical to your survival.

Panicking is NOT on the list of things to do. Not only does it lessen the likelihood of a successful escape from the harmful flames, it may also cause more destruction through the loss of lives and property. Save yourself the trouble; become empowered and reduce your risk.

Mitigate the effects of fire by conducting regular fire drills in your home, office, school or church. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) or the Jamaica Fire Brigade may be able to facilitate training in this area.

* Ensure your home is fire-proofed

Remove dead leaves and trees from your property and do not leave old newspapers and old clothes lying around. Dry brush and leaves may act as fuel for spreading fires, while old and used items in your home can become fire hazards. Properly dispose of things you no longer need by packing garbage in appropriate containers and waiting on your collection truck. Call the National Solid Waste Management Authority for a schedule of collection days and times.

* Reduce your consumption of products that generate solid waste

They include items that generate plastic and paper wrappers, which you may eventually need to burn. Re-use plastic bottles and bags, whether for catching and storing water. This is one way of beating the effects of the extended drought Jamaica is now experiencing. It also helps to reduce the discomfort of periodic water lock-offs, generally instituted during such periods, due to decreasing water levels in catchment areas.

* Recycle used items

You do this by, for example, writing on both sides of printing paper for your computers, thus reducing the volume of garbage which goes into landfills and other disposal areas. It also slows the pace at which trees must be cut down to be used for paper production.

* Give away old clothes

You can give them to the Salvation Army or Food for the Poor, and or relatives or friends who may be in need. Donating gently used clothes is good way to contribute to the Haiti relief efforts now on. Contact the nearest radio station or ODPEM for instructions on what to do should you need to utilise this option.

* Engage in proper land-use practices

‘Slash and burn’ methods of land clearing can destroy the value of your property by reducing land fertility, production yields and can cause soil erosion and landslides. Practise safer methods of farming, like ‘mixed cropping’ by growing different types of crops together, as well as rotating types of crops planted. This ensures soil fertility, better yields, as well as reduces the likelihood of burning to clear land. Do not leave paper and glass bottles in forested areas. These may ignite during the dry season and cause deadly fires.

* Put out cigarettes properly

Ensure that you have put out your cigarette before discarding them. Do not throw lit cigarettes into forested areas.

Start a healthy habit today and ensure that you reduce the effects of burning on your environment.

— National Environment and Planning Agency