Eid-el-Kabir: Fire service urges caution in kitchens during celebrations

Abdulganiyu Jaji, controller-general of the Federal Fire Service (FFS), has asked Nigerians celebrating Eid -el-Kabir to avoid overfilling their cooking pans with oil while preparing festive meals.

In a statement on Thursday, Jaji cautioned celebrants, especially Muslim women traditionally in charge of festive meals, to ensure cooking oil does not exceed one-third of the pan to avoid kitchen fires.

“Cooking is at the heart of our Sallah celebrations, but it’s also where most accidental home fires begin. During festivals like Eid al-Adha, the risks increase as families prepare larger meals at different hours of the day,” the statement reads.

The FFS boss stressed the need for homes to be equipped with fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and smoke detectors and reminded Nigerians to turn off stoves and electrical appliances before stepping out.

He noted that animal roasting, a common Sallah tradition, should be carried out in open spaces, while gas cylinders must always be kept outside the kitchen.

He further warned parents to keep children away from open flames and matches.

The fire chief also addressed travel risks associated with the festive season, urging tanker and trailer drivers to obey traffic regulations and reduce speed to avoid road accidents.

For those travelling by water, he advised boat operators to avoid overloading and monitor water current levels, noting that such factors are frequent causes of holiday-related tragedies.

He assured that the fire service would remain fully operational throughout the holiday period, with personnel on standby and emergency response teams ready.

Jaji encouraged the public to promptly report any fire outbreak or emergency to the nearest fire station or through designated emergency lines.

“We may be ready to respond at any time, but what we truly want is for Nigerians to stay safe and avoid emergencies altogether,” he added.

“This celebration is about peace, unity, and gratitude. Let’s keep it that way, free of fire incidents and full of joy.”