Fire in Ferndale raises awareness on fire prevention

Fidelity ADT has provided tips on fire safety after they received an alarm activation due to a fire in a property in Bond Street, Ferndale on 9 April at approximately 5.50am.

According to Fidelity ADT, the cause of the fire is unknown and there were no injuries

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Community development manager for Fidelity ADT Steven Bronks said, “Every year more and more businesses and houses are lost to fire around the country. Fire moves and spreads quickly, in fact, it generally takes less than 30 seconds for a small flame to escalate into a major fire.” 

Bronks explained that business owners and homeowners need to be aware of the potential dangers of fire and must ensure that their homes and businesses are equipped, not only to detect a fire but, also to ensure that everyone on the premises knows how to deal with a fire if one should break out.

“It is important to realise that it is not only the flames that present a danger when a fire breaks out. The heat and harmful gas emitted can often be even more life-threatening,” said Bronks.

He listed the following important tips on fire safety and encouraged business owners and parents to share them with everyone working or residing on the premises:

• Do not overload electrical sockets or run electrical cords under carpets.
• Develop and practice an escape plan – plan two ways out of every room.
• Display your local fire department telephone number near the phone, then memorise it.
• If you smell or see smoke, crawl on the floor to the nearest exit.
• Never open a door that is hot to the touch.
• Alert or wake everybody in the building as quickly as possible.
• If your clothing catches fire – stop, drop and roll.
• Never re-enter the premises for personal belongings.
• Only tackle the fire if it is safe to do so.

Bronks advised that every business and household should be equipped with, at least, smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket.

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