Fire safety a necessity this braai season

POLOKWANE – ‘Tis the season of late nights outdoors, bonfires and braais!

Spokesperson for Working on Fire (WOF), Matema Gwangwa, urges resident to stay vigilant at this time of year as people are much more relaxed and accidents tend to happen more often as a result.

“During the holidays we need people to be fire wise and safe and make sure that children specifically are safe around fires,” she says.
For your safety and those of the ones around you, follow the following guidelines:
• Caution should always be exercised when working with fire, particularly if strong wind is present.
• When working with fire, it is always a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher, pan of water or garden hose close at hand in case you have to quickly extinguish the fire.
• When installing a fire pit, allow adequate clearance from combustible walls and surfaces such as wood fences, decks, vinyl siding, shrubs, tables, etc. Allow at least 5 feet from all combustible objects and surfaces.
• Use extreme caution when using fire on combustible surfaces. Some appliances require that they are placed on non-combustible surfaces such as bare earth, concrete, stone, and never be used on a wooden deck.
• Never leave a fire unattended and always extinguish it completely before retiring.
• Do not overload your fire pit or use it to burn leaves, paper or trash.
• Always use a fire guard to protect against sparks from hot embers.
• Ensure the fire is put out before going to bed at night or leaving the house.
Gwangwa urges residents to be good neighbours and keep the people around them in mind when making open fires.
“Be advised that there are a number of cases involving smoke from someone’s property entering a neighbour’s house. Be safe and be a good neighbour,” she concludes.
riana@nmgroup.co.za