Hoteliers asked to engage qualified electricians

Cape Coast, July 21, GNA -- Hoteliers have been advised to renew all electrical installations in their hotels to prevent any electrical problems. They must also do regular check-ups and maintenance of their electrical equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and safe to use.

Mr Kofi Afewu, Regional Engineer of the Electricity Corporation, gave the advice at a one day seminar organised by the Fire and Lighting Sub- committee of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for 38 hoteliers in the Central Region on Wednesday.

The seminar which aimed at educating hoteliers on safety management, took them through topics like electrical problems, first aid, and preventing fire outbreaks in hotels. Mr Afewu warned against over loading of switch boards and asked the hoteliers to always provide enough socket outlets in their hotel rooms and ensure that appliances that are not in use should be put off.

Mr George M. Hughes, Regional Fire Investigation and Training Officer, who spoke on preventing fires, advised them to have outlets for people to move out easily in case there is a fire outbreak. He spoke against storage of charcoal, gas and other combustible materials in their rooms, saying it is very dangerous.

Mr Patrick Ayerakwa, regional secretary of the Ghana Red Cross Society, who spoke on first aid, asked them to train some of their staff in first aid management and to provide first aid boxes to treat casualties in their hotels.

Mr Osei Kwadwo, Regional Director of NADMO, called on them to put in place security measures to help curb crime in hotels.