During the winter season, temperatures are very low and in some instances sub-zero levels are registered.
Therefore, everyone is trying to keep warm, either at home or at work.
As much as the entire country and the whole world is faced with the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, the winter season has its own challenges in terms of fire-related emergencies, and an emergency can strike at any time.
To keep everyone safe, the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has shared fire safety practices with the society at large to save lives and property.
What follows are some common causes of structural fires during winter, and tips on how to prevent them.
When using candles and paraffin lamps as lighting sources, keep the following in mind:
- 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 light sources.
Safety tips to prevent candle fires 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 out of the reach of children.
- Keep candles and paraffin lamps in the centre of the table, away from curtains, papers and other combustible items.
They should be away from windows and doors.
Wind draft can influence the flames.
- In terms of candles, use appropriate candle holders.
- Keep the candle to an appropriate size to avoid it bending and falling over.
- Paraffin lamps should not to be filled to the tip as this could lead to the paraffin spilling. Refill while cold before lighting.
When using paraffin stoves, gas stoves and electrical stoves as cooking sources, keep the following in mind:
Cooking is a relaxing and fun activity that brings friends and family together, and 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 energy requirements.
Cooking fires are the primary cause of home fires, home fire injuries and death.
Most cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of common household items, such as wall coverings, paper or plastic bags or curtains.
Tips to help prevent cooking source fires:
- Keep an eye on what you fry or cook.
- Never leave a stove unattended.
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This is important when you are frying or 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 or stove top.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or baking food.
- If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly.
Remain in the kitchen while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stove top.
In case a fire breaks out during cooking:
- Just get out.
When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
- Call 011 458 0911 or the local emergency number after you are a safe distance from the fire.
- If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
- Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires.
Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stove.
Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Safety considerations when cooking with oil:
- Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stove.
- Keep an eye on what you fry.
If you see threads of smoke or smell oil, 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.
- Always cook with a lid beside your pan.
If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again, let the pan cool for a long time and never throw water on the fire.
- 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 and call the fire department from outside.
When using electric heaters, paraffin heaters, gas heaters, fireplaces and braziers, commonly known as umbawula, as heating sources, consider the following:
There is nothing more uncomfortable than getting home from work or school during winter and finding the 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 homes or workstations warm.
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.
- 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 manufacturer’s instruction.
- Have heating equipment and the chimney cleaned and inspected every year prior to heating season.
- Always keep all the heating sources monitored when in use.
- Remember to turn off all heating equipment 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 in 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 month.
No braziers inside the home. It is a lethal practice.
DEMS is ready as ever, even during lockdown. Together we can achieve, and lives and properties can be saved.
In cases of life-threatening emergencies, the public should phone the following numbers for the attention of emergency services and disaster management:
- 011 458 0911 – Ekurhuleni life-threatening emergency line
- 10177 – national toll-free number
• 112 – cellphone
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