Gould decreases risk of shack fires

Informal settlements could decrease the risk of having fires break out if residents apply a simple trick to their candles.

Horison resident and Horison Block Watch public relations officer Charlotte Gould says she learned this safety trick the hard way – as she’s a grandmother.

“When you have children around you learn to look out for what they get up to and you manouevre things to have minimal impact on them. Gould believes her preventative measure could save shacks from burning down and children from sustaining burn wounds. She referenced recent fires in Khayalitsha and Florida to prove her point. She demonstrated the process at her house on Wednesday (21 May).

“It is very simple as you use materials that are easily accessible — candles, a mayonnaise or gherkin jar, sand and water.”

Gould demonstrated by filling one third of the mayonnaise jar with sand and securing the candle in it. Next she filled the jar with water until it was three quarters full. Finally, she lit the candle.

“Now imagine children are playing around the house, chasing one another, and the candle gets knocked over,” she said, knocking the jar over. The water in the jar immediately extinguished the candle and the sand presented an extra preventative measure.

“Should the jar be knocked over, you simply put the wet candle aside to dry and take the next; no fire, no hassle and a decreased risk to your family.”

Ideally, Gould said, one would use a grainy sand like building sand but any sort of sand will do. Other jars can be utilised also but mayonnaise jars stand tall and can contain more water.

As a young adult Gould witnessed the extent of house or shack fires when her sister took her to a burn unit in one of Cape Town’s hospitals at the time. Extensive burn wounds could alter a child’s growth and potential forever, Gould said.

“Whenever I come across anyone using a candle, young or old, wealthy or not, I explain this trick to them.”

To view fotos of the demonstration, click here.