Taking caution to prevent shack fires during cold season

Due to roads in informal settlements being too narrow, or non-existent, it is difficult for fire and emergency services personnel to get to fires as the fire engines are too wide to pass between structures which are built too close together.

May 31, 2020

Xoliswa Kali 2 minutes read

We have entered a period of freezing temperatures, and this is always challenging especially to those who are economically disadvantaged.

Preparations are recommended when anticipated challenges such as cold temperatures looms, moreover for informal settlement dwellers.

According to William Ntladi, DEMS district manager media liaison, said it is important to know fire safety practices during winter.

“Stay home, stay indoors and always put safety practices as a priority. Veld and shack fires can be devastating,” said Ntladi.

He said most fires are caused by lack of thought, concentration or carelessness.

Especially in South Africa where shack fires pose a serious threat in informal settlements, the rule is for 3m distancing between the constructed shacks.

Those in the informal settlement needs to know how far their structure is from the neighbour. In case of fire, the blaze can spread easily if shacks are constructed upon each other.

The width of a fire engine makes getting to fires in informal settlement, where roads are very narrow, challenging.

Ntladi said cigarettes, lighters, matches, candles, illegal electrical connections and over loading of circuits, heating appliances such as paraffin stoves, braziers and equipment such as power generators and liquefied gas appliances all can be lethal if not properly monitored.

Tips to follow:

Keep a close eye on paraffin stoves. Don’t cook near a window with curtains.
Make sure the stove does not fall over, which may cause a fire and burn children.
Make sure candles cannot fall over. Don’t go to sleep with candles still burning.
Never ever put Braziers or Coal Braai-stands inside your home, if so, keep the door and windows opened to avert carbon monoxide poisoning.
Stay and keep combustibles at least a meter away from the heat source.
Smoking in bed is dangerous.
Watch out for discarded cigarette butts.
Beware of the dangers of illegal and faulty electricity connections, which also cause fires.

Also read:50 Newly appointed firefighters dedicated to service

Refill the electrical power generator, paraffin stove or lamps while still cold before use.
Keep separate buckets handy filled with water and sand, so that you can extinguish different flames easily.
Call local emergency services as soon as possible on 011 458 0911, 10177 or 112.
In case your clothes catch fire, do not run, better to stop, drop, and roll.
An instinct will drive one to run but unfortunately, the more you run, the further the flame is aggravated.
In case of someone is set alight, cover him/her with a blanket, this will prevent flame sustainability and leads to fire being extinguished.

Emergency numbers: 011 458- 0911 (life threatening Ekurhuleni emergency line), 10177 (national toll-free number) or 112 (cellphone).

Also read: Man dies after becoming trapped in a shack fire