KATHMANDU: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has advised the public to stay vigilant as fire incidents are rising with the arrival of the dry season, and this trend may continue.

NDRRMA spokesperson Dr. Dijan Bhattarai emphasized that since most fires are caused by human activity, it is important for everyone to take precautions and act promptly to prevent them.

Meanwhile, the District Police Range, Kathmandu, has issued a notice making it public that 34 fire incidents have occurred since mid-December in Kathmandu alone.

A public notice issued by the Range requests one and all to keep flammable materials such as matches and lighters out of the reach of children, to install a smoke detector, and to practice mock drill on how to stop and escape from a fire.

Similarly, in the event of a fire, the Range requests all to inform the people around (by sounding the alarm or shouting) and to get out as soon as possible.

“Never try to hide inside the house, after leaving the house, make sure that all the family has come out safely. As soon as you are informed of a fire, inform the police control 100, the fire service 101 and the local police. If you have to go out through a smoke-filled place, crawl with your head down, which will make it easier for you to breathe,” the Range said in the notice.

It also suggests people not to run if your clothes are one fire. Stop and extinguish the fire before running, as the fire will spread even faster if you run with your clothes on fire.