GALLERY and VIDEO: Domestic workers learn fire safety

Randburg Fire Station visited with domestic workers at the Vandia Gardens Resident’s Association’s (VGRA) Domestic Watch meeting on 12 August.

The meeting was held at the Bryanston Park in Vandia Grove where dozens of domestic workers gathered to hear fire safety tips.

Randburg Fire Station community educator Chris Viviers discussed the first few steps one should take in the event of a fire.

Viviers highlighted the importance of homeowners installing smoke detectors.

He suggested that once a month, domestic workers should check the home’s plug points for any dark discolourisation which should be reported to their employers.

He added that nine out of 10 people die from the smoke inhalation during a fire.

The safest way to exit, he suggested, is by crawling on the floor and using the wall as a guide so that one can reach the door.

“Once outside, do not go back in to collect your belongings, stay as far away from the house as you can.”

The toll-free cellphone emergency number for the fire department is 112 and one can call 10177 from the home phone.

Viviers suggested that if one sustains a burn, the best thing to do is to put the burned area under cold running water followed by, if possible, a burn shield.

He also educated the women on a safe way to store a candle.

Finally, Constable Gerry Maluleke from Randburg Police stressed the importance of not letting anyone in without first checking with the owners of the house.

“The domestics must not go near the gate, if they can talk from the intercom that is best.”

Const Maluleke and communications manager Constable Stanely Bopape handed out pamphlets explaining how best to ensure a crime scene is protected and how to observe suspects without endangering yourself.

Details: Vandia Gardens Resident’s Association, Donna Sipman 083 299 1575; Randburg Fire Station 112 or 10177.

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