Residents urged to be careful of alternative power solutions

Fidelity SecureFire warned people about the dangers of alternative power solutions in their residences and more especially, to their health.

Many households are using Lithium-ion batteries to supply themselves with electricity without actually knowing the dangers that come with this type of electricity supply.

South Africa has seen an increase in the number of people using alternative power solutions in their homes and this led Fidelity SecureFire to release a safety checklist that homeowners can use to keep themselves safe.

Dangers

Fidelity SecureFire also mentioned how dangerous the fire produced by Lithium-ion batteries can be as it cannot be controlled by water or any other normal ways.

According to Fidelity SecureFire, Lithium-ion fires are not only dangerous to them but also affect the atmosphere. These batteries release dirty fire which results in global warming.

“If you have installed an inverter at home, we ask that you investigate whether your fire protection measures are adequate and whether they are suitable for lithium fires. Importantly these require a lithium fire extinguisher which should be placed close to your inverter or your battery bank,” says Bartmann.

According to Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, Gauteng experiences eleven fire incidents per week and Lithium-ion batteries are one of the causes behind these incidents.

To ensure your home is safe from fire hazards use the below fire prevention checklist to ensure your loved ones and your home are safe:

• Smoke detectors are an excellent idea to install in the main rooms of your house, including the garage, kitchen, lounge, bedrooms, and where you have an accumulation of electronic equipment that needs recharging. It is important to ensure they are interconnected so that all the alarms go off if there is a fire. Smoke detector batteries should be tested every month and replaced once a year.

• Ideally one should have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and garage. It is also useful to consider adding a fire blanket with a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. All family members in the house should be trained on how to use the fire extinguisher and again these should be checked annually.

• Prevention is always better than cure so to avoid a fire hazard ensure all electrical cords and plugs are in good condition without frays or damage; electrical outlets should not be overloaded with too many plugs and if possible, avoid placing extension cords under carpets or rugs. Also, remember to unplug appliances when not in use, and any damaged electrical appliances should always be repaired or replaced.

• Heaters should be placed at least 1 meter away from flammable materials, like curtains, furniture, or bedding and if you have a fireplace, the chimney and vents are cleaned and inspected annually.

• Ensure your stove and oven are free from grease build-up and all flammable items like dish towels and oven mitts are kept away from the stove while cooking. Small appliances like toasters and air fryers should be unplugged when not in use and gas cylinders should not be kept on your gas stove when not in use.

• With winter around the corner be especially aware of candles and ensure they are placed on sturdy holders and kept far away from curtains, bedding, and other flammable materials. They should be extinguished before bed.

“You should have at least two ways to exit a room in your home in case of a fire and ensure there is a safety door. The keys to the door should be placed at a predetermined centralised spot. Having a trial run twice a year to practice your evacuation is not a bad idea,” said Bartmann.

Bartmann advises residents to always have an emergency contact list that they can use when such incidents happen.