The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday cautioned Nigerians against indiscriminate bush burning and carelessness as the dry season sets in.

Also, the agency cautioned against activities that are capable of destroying the eco-system leading to untoward climate change.

The Coordinator of NEMA Abuja Operations Office, Ishaya Chonoko, gave the caution in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a fire prevention, mitigation and preparedness programme organised by the agency.

According to him; "The programme is aimed at sensitising all and sundry to be extra careful this dry season in their dealings with fire. Indiscriminate bush burning such as for hunting purposes should be avoided as this could extend to neigbouring farmlands and houses; destroy the ecosystem and also contribute to climate change.

"Naked fire should not be left unattended. Bushes close to our surroundings should be cleared. Fire extinguishers should be refilled and kept in handy positions. Dried leaves and papers should be disposed of properly.

"Electrical appliances should be switched off and unplugged when not in use. Observing this would go a long way to check the outbreak of fire as well as mitigate its impact.

"Disasters in the past have caused great losses, including loss of lives, damage and destruction of property worth millions of naira. These losses are irreplaceable. This cannot be allowed to continue, he added.

"It has been found that disaster risk reduction is cheaper and safer than disaster response which is why there is a paradigm shift from disaster response to disaster risk reduction. It is in this light that NEMA is carrying out this programme."

In his lecture at the ceremony, Assistant Chief Superintendent, Kwara State Fire Service, Falade Olumuyiwa, said fire disasters occurred out of carelessness and ignorance.