Media Exposure, Fire-Risk Perception and Emergency Preparedness among Traders in Selected Lagos Markets

Abstract

Devastating fire incidents were reported in the Lagos markets in December 2025, resulting in the loss of lives, goods, and property worth billions of naira. Media exposure to the market fires and its perceived impact on risk perception and fire emergency preparedness among traders in the Arena and Balogun markets were examined in this study. Specifically, the study assessed the traders’ exposure to media reports of market fires, the perceived influence of media exposure on fire safety knowledge, risk perception, and fire emergency preparedness, and the factors that hinder the adoption of fire safety preparedness measures among traders. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, and a self-designed, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The results indicated high exposure to media coverage of market fires (overall \*M \*= 3.83), with radio and social media as the main sources of information. Media exposure was seen to have exerted significant impacts on traders’ knowledge of fire causes (overall \*M \*= 3.66), awareness of fire prevention methods, risk perception, and the adoption of non-financial fire safety preparedness, while the acquisition of structural safety equipment and the creation of specific emergency exit routes remained low. Poor market infrastructure, high equipment cost, and lack of practical training were the main limiting factors for emergency preparedness. Therefore, the study recommends that the government and market management should improve market infrastructure, subsidise fire safety equipment, and provide compulsory on-site practical fire safety training in urban markets, among others