As the dry season gradually sets in, residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expressing concerns over increasing fire hazards, harsh weather conditions and health-related challenges.

Beyond the familiar dry-season discomforts, many residents say rising temperatures, dusty winds and inadequate electricity supply are making daily life increasingly difficult.

Some residents also report experiencing weather-related illnesses, including respiratory discomfort, catarrh, cough and other ailments associated with dust and changing atmospheric conditions.

They made their concerns known on Tuesday in Abuja during separate iinterviews,urging residents to adopt preventive measures.

According to them, though the dry season is an annual occurrence, many households and businesses often neglect necessary precautions until its effects become more pronounced.

They identified uncontrolled bush burning, careless disposal of burning refuse, faulty electrical installations and improper handling of cooking gas as major fire hazards.

A civil servant, Emmanuel Clement, advised farmers and other residents to adopt safer methods of clearing farmlands instead of setting fire to dry vegetation.

Mr Clement also urged residents to avoid burning refuse in open spaces, particularly around residential buildings, roadsides and drainage channels.

He said uncontrolled fires could spread rapidly during the dry season, destroying homes, farms and businesses while endangering human lives.

“Residents should clear dry grasses around their homes, avoid careless bush burning and ensure electrical appliances are properly checked before the dry season becomes severe,” he said.

Similarly, a businesswoman at Wuse Market, Ayodeji Eniola, advised traders and households to switch off electrical appliances before leaving their shops and homes.

She stressed the importance of repairing damaged electrical wires, sockets and other faulty installations through qualified electricians to prevent avoidable fire incidents.

Mrs Eniola said fire outbreaks could have devastating consequences for families and business owners, particularly when homes, merchandise and sources of livelihood were destroyed.

She recalled the June 2025 fire incident at Farm Centre GSM Market in Kano State, which destroyed several shops, as a reminder of the dangers.

According to her, markets and other crowded commercial centres require greater attention to fire prevention because combustible materials and merchandise are often stored close together.

A secondary school teacher in the FCT, Hassan Lukman, also cautioned residents against indiscriminate burning, particularly during windy conditions when flames could spread quickly.

He advised households to remove dry leaves, grasses and other combustible materials from their surroundings to reduce the likelihood of accidental fires.

Mr Lukman further urged residents to keep cooking gas cylinders in suitable, well-ventilated locations, away from open flames and other potential ignition sources.

He recommended that households acquire functional fire extinguishers where possible and familiarise themselves with their proper use.

However, he advised residents to prioritise their safety and contact the fire service whenever an outbreak became difficult to control.

Beyond fire hazards, residents identified inadequate electricity supply as another factor worsening the discomfort associated with the emerging dry season.

They said many communities, particularly those on the outskirts of the city centre, experience prolonged power outages, sometimes receiving fewer than six hours of electricity daily.

According to them, unreliable electricity makes it difficult for households to operate fans and other cooling appliances amid rising temperatures.

Consequently, some families reportedly resort to sleeping outdoors or leaving their doors and windows open at night to enjoy fresh air.

However, the practice exposes households to additional security and environmental risks, particularly in communities with inadequate street lighting and limited security surveillance.

Some residents expressed concerns that sleeping outdoors could expose families, especially children, to snake bites, scorpion stings and other dangerous insect bites.

They also warned that leaving doors open at night could create opportunities for petty thieves to enter homes and steal valuables while occupants slept outside.

The residents therefore called for improved electricity supply, particularly to communities outside the city centre, to reduce household exposure to the challenges associated with excessive heat.

They also urged security agencies and community leaders to strengthen neighbourhood surveillance and sensitise residents to the dangers of leaving their homes unsecured.

Mr Lukman further noted that declining rainfall could affect communities dependent on streams, shallow wells and other water sources for their daily needs.

He said reduced water availability could increase household expenses and make it difficult for families to obtain sufficient water for cooking, cleaning and other domestic activities.

The residents consequently urged relevant authorities, community leaders and households to intensify preparations against the multiple challenges accompanying the dry season.

They stressed that public awareness, responsible fire handling, improved electricity supply, adequate water access and stronger community security were essential to protecting lives and property.

They added that early preparation and collective vigilance would help minimise preventable emergencies and make the dry season safer and more manageable for FCT residents.

(NAN)