#WhatToDo: Regarding home fire safety
After a child lost his life in a recent home fire, here's what you can do to stay safe and prevent a house fire.
A well-known security company said people should take home fire prevention seriously and not become a statistic this winter.
One Monday in April, tragedy struck the Motshabi family from Zenzele, when their 17-month-old baby boy, Lerato Tlholoe, passed away due to the burn wounds he had sustained in a shack fire.
According to Stuart Clarkson, managing executive at Fidelity ADT, the biggest threat during the winter months is household fires which are mostly started accidentally by people being careless with open flames.
Clarkson said it’s a critical time of the year for education about fire safety. “Every year we get called out to many fire incidents during the winter months. Besides the obvious threat of losing their lives, people can lose their homes and possessions in a matter of minutes when a fire breaks out,” he said.
“When we survey residents about fire safety and prevention, the results are often alarming,” he went on. “Very few people have smoke alarms and even fewer have fire extinguishers in their homes.”
“Installing smoke alarms isn’t common practice in South Africa – but it should be. Linked to an armed response service, you’ll have peace of mind that help is on its way in the event of a fire emergency, when every second counts,” he said.
One of the most common causes of residential fires are indoor or outdoor fireplaces. Thatch lapas are especially vulnerable. Other causes of household fires include worn-out electrical wires and appliances, burning candles, heaters, electric blankets, children playing with matches, gas leaks and hot oil left unattended on a stove.
DO:
• Install smoke alarms and have them linked to your alarm system
• Buy at least one fire extinguisher for your home
• Know your emergency numbers and what to do in an emergency
• Check electrical cables for faults and take note of warnings on electrical appliances
• Keep low when exiting a smoke-filled room and cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth
• Work out an emergency fire drill with your family
DON’T:
• Leave a burning candle, heater, pot of oil or fire unattended – ever!
• Pack up your personal belongings before getting to safety
• Try to put an oil fire out with water
• Open a door which is hot to the touch
• Go back into the house if you’ve made it outside safely
• Go into a room that is on fire
“Fire safety is complex, but there are certain basic concepts that help prevent the start and spread of fires. Fires can be deadly and devastating. We therefore encourage everyone to spend a bit of time thinking about fire prevention and taking steps to ensure their loved ones are protected from the outbreak of a fire due to negligence,” concluded Clarkson.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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