Home fires: How to handle and prevent them
From being caught off-guard to water in taps and fire hydrants running dry... here's how you can prepare for the worst and maybe even prevent it from happening all together.
Following a recent incident where a family in Robertsham, Johannesburg, had to watch their house burn down while firefighters travelled to get water due to taps and fire hydrants running dry, fire prevention and water contingency plans should be at the top of every household’s priority list.
“The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, has said that South Africa is not on the verge of a water supply crisis. However, Gauteng is currently in the throes of an epic water supply battle and residents of Durban North recently experienced a week-long water outage. When the taps run dry, so too does the ability to extinguish a blaze which is why strongly encourage the public to be vigilant when it comes to fire prevention,” says Tyrone Lowther, head of Budget Insurance.
Budget Insurance offers the following advice for homeowners:
- Water backup: It’s wise to invest in a backup system, like a large water tank that is fed by the normal water supply or rainwater. Tanks with a water pressure booster are a smart move.
- Fire extinguishers: Having a set of fire extinguishers positioned in key spots across your property could help to put out fires before they get out of control. It’s vital to have these checked and serviced regularly.
- Non-water-reliant suppression systems: Various new technologies – like clean agent suppression systems and tank-and-pump suppression systems – are available to replace the more water pressure reliant systems.
- Sand can also help in putting out smaller fires.
- Alert authorities: If there is a water outage in your area at the time of a fire, it’s imperative to let the authorities know so that they can prepare accordingly.
Budget also offers the following advice for fire safety around your home:
- Trust the pros: Make sure that all cooking and heating appliances are SABS approved and, where applicable, installed by a certified service provider. Improperly installed heating devices have been the cause of numerous house fires in South Africa.
- Solar panel risk: Solar panels can be a fire hazard if not installed properly. That said, even if solar panels are installed correctly, if a fire breaks out in a home, solar panels can intensify the blaze. Ensure that your solar panels are installed by an experienced installer and are maintained regularly.
- Read and obey the manual: It’s crucial to operate devices within manufacturers’ limits. Setting a device to maximum heat for extended periods of time, not placing a device on a level surface, moving it around whilst in operation or charging a device for longer than recommended, for example, could pose a serious risk.
- Wire and pipe check: Make sure that appliances and other heating devices, as well as their piping and wiring, are in a good, safe working order. Take gas bottles to your nearest gas retailer to have them checked for leaks on a regular basis. This includes gas bottles used for heaters, braais and stoves.
- Keep an eye: Fires resulting from cooking, and more specifically unattended cooking, is a major concern. Never stoves or heating appliances unattended. Exercise special caution before going to bed at night to make sure that all these are turned off.
- Plug pressure: Do not overload one single power source. Unplug and switch off all electrical appliances that are not in use.
- Vent wise: Make sure that heating, electric and electronic devices are in a spacious and well-ventilated spot to prevent overheating. Do not cover heaters with clothing or other material that you wish to warm or dry.
- Light first, gas second: If you cook with gas or use a gas heater or light, light the match or lighter first, before turning on the gas.
- Declutter: Keep clutter to a minimum in and around your home, as this could add fuel to a fire, and keep flammable materials, including fuels, far away from heat sources.
- Smoke smart: If possible, install smoke detectors throughout your home.
- Arm’s reach: Have a fire extinguisher available, specifically near the kitchen and other areas where heat sources are frequently used. Make sure that you know how to activate and operate it.
- Emergency plan: Make sure that trip switches and emergency cut-off valves are in good working order. Have all emergency contact details within easy reach and don’t wait until a fire is out of control before contacting emergency response teams.
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