The Head of Consumer Services at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Eunice Budu Nyarko, has urged traders, especially market women, to keep children away from woodfuel fires and coalpots while cooking.

Speaking during an engagement with traders, hawkers, and market women at the Ejisu and Kejetia markets in the Ashanti Region, Ms. Nyarko warned that prolonged exposure to smoke from charcoal and firewood can worsen existing health conditions such as asthma, leading to respiratory tract infections, reduced lung function, and even heart failure.

She added that such exposure also increases the risk of low birth weight and infant mortality.

The caution formed part of the NPA’s expanded LPG safety campaign, which has now been extended to tertiary institutions and colleges of education across the country.

In the Ashanti Region, training sessions were held at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), while similar activities took place at Sefwi Wiawso College of Education in the Western North Region.

The initiative aims to promote safe LPG handling practices among young Ghanaians and advocate for the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM) to enhance household safety.

During interactive demonstrations, the NPA’s Head of Gas and Commercial Regulation, Mr. Obed Kraine Boachie, educated students on essential safety measures, including storing LPG cylinders in well-ventilated spaces and transporting them in an upright position to minimise leakage risks.

“After transporting a filled LPG cylinder, allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes before use.

This ensures the gas or any liquid components inside stabilise, preventing potential hazards when the cylinder is opened or used,” he advised.