Public safety cannot be an afterthought

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There have been two incidents that are once again a wake-up call for authorities. The first is a fire in a Pune hostel where at least 40 girls were rescued, but the watchman perished.

This edit column had recently highlighted how malls that had found wanting in fire safety, must have action taken against them. It also lauded surprise checks and referenced stringent action against institutions found errant or wanting in fire safety protocol. This applies to buildings everywhere, including hostels. While it is fortunate that the girls were able to be evacuated, fire drills are a must at all hostels.

Here, we are not concentrating on this hostel in particular, but hostels across. Firefighting equipment and their use must be taught either physically or with a video playing on a screen, so that there is constant reinforcement. Fire safety instructions on floor spaces and common utility areas in hostels are a must. A clear, quality audio working system, where announcements can be made in any emergency must be installed.

Exits must be clear and well-lit. New entrants must be told about fire safety when taking admission. Regular checks of all equipment, storage, passages, common areas of the hostels, including the kitchen etc. is a necessity and should be mandatory in fact. The hostel administration must conduct internal checks and take remedial action when needed. Maintenance of all fixtures and lifts and other spaces is mandatory.

The other incident is that days after the Ghatkopar tragedy where a huge billboard fell on a petrol pump and killed so many, operation ‘clear hoardings' began. Yet, now a digital board has fallen on a senior citizen in Malad, though he has fortunately not been seriously hurt, according to reports. Digital or otherwise, the point is not the kind of billboard but the fact that it has to be fastened tightly and well.