During winter temperatures are very low, and in some instances, they register to sub-zero levels, so everyone is trying to keep warm, either at home or at work.
To keep everyone save, the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) would like to share fire safety practices with the society at large to save lives and properties:
• Fires caused by candles and paraffin lamps are common during electrical power failures.
• Fires are common in informal settlements where candles and paraffin lamps are used as lighting sources.
Safety tips to prevent candle and paraffin lamp fires:
• Never leave candles or paraffin lamps unattended. Always extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Always keep candles and paraffin lamps away out of reach of children.
• Keep candles and paraffin lamps in the centre of the table, away from curtains, papers and all combustibles.
They should be kept away from windows and doors.
A draft can influence the flames.? Use appropriate candle holders.
• Keep candle in an appropriate size. ? Paraffin lamps should not be filled to the brim. Refill while cold and before lighting. Cooking is a relaxing and fun activity that brings friends and family together.
It’s during this time that people often forget the risks and dangers that are just an arm’s length away.
Different people use different methods of cooking in line with their energy availability.
Cooking fires are the primary cause of home fires.
Most cooking fires start with the ignition of common household items, such as wall coverings, paper or plastic bags and curtains.
To help prevent cooking source fires, keep an eye on what you cook and never leave a stove unattended.
This is important when cooking with highly combustible ingredients, like oils and butters.
Keeping a close eye will not only prevent a potential fire but will also allow you to react before it is too late.
Be alert.
If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol or medication, don’t use the stove.
Keep anything that can catch fire, like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains, away from your stove.
Should a cooking fire occur, get out and close the door behind you to help contain the fire
Call 011 458 0911 if you stay in the metro or the local emergency number after you leave.
If you are trying to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
While cooking, keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stove.
Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
Never throw water on the fire.For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
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Safety considerations for cooking with oil:
• Always stay in the kitchen when frying.
• Keep an eye on what you fry.
If you see threads of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
• Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying.
• Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
• If the fire does not go out or you don?t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home.
Call the fire department from outside.
There is nothing more devastating than getting home from work or school during winter to find your entire home freezing cold.
Most people are deceived by circumstances and forget fire safety practices.
One common unsafe practice is leaving heat sources unmonitored with the intention of keeping the home or workstation warm in your absence.
Tips to prevent heating source fires:
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Keep anything combustible at least one metre away from the heating equipment, such as space heaters, fireplaces or coal stoves.
• Never use your oven as a heating source.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary heating equipment according to the local safety codes and as per the manufacturer’s instruction.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year prior to heating season.
• Always keep all the heating sources monitored when in use.
• Remember to turn all heating equipment off prior to leaving the room/home or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel-burning heating sources.
• Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood that has been split, stacked and allowed to dry for at least 12 months.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container.
Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• If you smell gas coming from your gas heater, do not light the appliance.
Leave the home immediately and call for assistance.
• Install a smoke alarm and test it at least once a month.
• No braziers (umbawula) inside the home.
DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said the department is ready as ever, even now during lockdown.
In case of life-threatening emergencies, the public should phone the following numbers:
Life-threatening emergency line: 011 458 0911
National toll-free number: 10177 or 112 from a cellphone
