Jamaicans Urged to Prioritise Fire Prevention

Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, is highlighting the urgent need for citizens to prioritise fire prevention to safeguard life and property.

“Prevention must become a daily priority in every Jamaican household,” he said.

Commissioner Beckford was speaking at the official launch of Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week 2026 at the Brigade’s headquarters in Kingston on October 21.

The latest statistics from the Brigade indicate that 15 persons have perished in household fires since the start of the year, which is an increase over the 14 fire-related deaths for the corresponding period in 2025.

Of the 15 persons who died, 11 were adults and four were children.

Notably, there was a slight decrease in fire calls, with the JFB responding to 819 residential fires since the start of 2026 compared to 823 during the same period last year.

Highlighting the devastating impact of residential fires on families, Commissioner Beckford said the incidents have also left many Jamaicans without homes.

“Over a thousand of our citizens were made homeless, their security and memories destroyed in a moment. These are not just statistics. They are our neighbours, our friends, and our children,” he said.

The Commissioner expressed particular concern about an increase in electrical fires over the past three to four months, which he linked to the increased use of air-conditioning units and fans during the prolonged period of hot weather.

“What [people] tend to do is to overload their circuits, and these will result in fires. So, one of the things that we have asked persons to do, and continue to ask householders to do, is to make sure that you don’t overload your circuits or extension cords,” he said.

Commissioner Beckford encouraged Jamaicans to have their electrical wiring inspected, particularly in older homes where the systems may no longer be adequate to meet household demands.

“A lot of our houses that we are now living in were built 30 [or] 40 years ago, and so your electrical system is in need of an overhaul. If you have not done that yet, we strongly recommend that you find a certified electrician to get that done,” he appealed.

The Fire Commissioner reminded Jamaicans never to leave cooking unattended and to keep flammable materials away from stovetops.

He further stressed the importance of keeping matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of children, noting that several fires have resulted from children gaining access to these items.

Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week 2026 will be observed from October 25 to 31 under the theme ‘Safe Homes, Safe Communities: The Power of Prevention’.