The National Museum of Science and Technology raised awareness about fire accidents among the citizens of the country including children, teenagers and students.
Speakers at a science lecture titled ‘What to do to prevent electrical accidents’ organized by the Science Museum on Tuesday identified electrical mismanagement as one of the causes of fire accidents.
It is said that the use of low quality electrical materials such as cables and plugs in the electrical wiring of a building causes a serious risk. Besides, careless use of gas stove is also the cause of an accident.
Md. Hanif Uddin, Executive Engineer, Dhaka Power Distribution Company, said, “Combustible substances cannot be left open in the house. It is safe to cover the cooking oil bottle with a thick cloth/sack. Main switch must be kept at hand. Hand sanitizer must be used with extreme caution or the ‘hand’ will become combustible. Before the fire brigade arrives, each house must have its own fire management system for at least 20 minutes. Buckets of water, sand and hammers should be kept ready. In the recent fire at the juice factory in Rupganj, there was a huge loss of life as the locked doors could not be opened due to lack of hammers.”
Speaking on the occasion, Director General of the National Museum of Science and Technology Mohammad Munir Chowdhury said, “Air conditioners need to be cleaned/maintained at least twice a year to avoid accidents. In addition, inexperienced people should be excluded and electrical equipment should be tested by skilled and trained electricians. Purchase of standard plugs, wires, cables, switches etc. and proper maintenance is an essential condition for staying accident free. To overcome the ignorance and carelessness of the citizens in electrical management, the Science Museum seeks to ensure safety in the life of the citizens through science education. Every problem or risk has to be solved in a scientific way.”
Jarin Tasnim, 9th grade student of Kamarjuri Yusuf Ali High School, Gazipur, Nazifa Islam, 10th grade student of Halishahar Cantonment Public School and College, Chittagong and Tahsin Ara Oishi, 10th grade student of Joydebpur Government Girls High School spoke on the occasion. Tahsin Ara Oishee was selected as the best speaker.