MUST READ: What to do if your house catches alight – and how to minimise the risk

AS winter approaches, KZN Emergency Medical Services sees an increase in the number of cases involving fires, burns, smoke inhalation, and accidental ingestion of fuels.

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The following safety tips will help to minimise the risk of fires starting and spreading:

• Never leave candles or lanterns unattended.

• Mount candles in a secure candle holder and keep candles away from other objects including curtains that can be blown closer to the candle or lantern.

• Don’t leave them on the edge of tables where they may fall or be knocked off easily.

• Be extremely cautious when children are around these devices.

• Don’t go to sleep with candles or lanterns still burning.

• Don’t let candles burn all the way to the bottom of the candle.

• When using heaters, similar precautions are required.

• Do not leave heaters unattended and switch them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

• If it is a fire or coal heater there must be good ventilation, this includes when a generator is used as exhaust fumes are produced.

• Be careful of sparks or embers coming off a fire.

• Be very cautious of fuels such as paraffin and gel used in stoves and lanterns.

• Always store the fuel well away from where the devices are used.

• Don’t store fuel in beverage containers.

• Use a container that seals well.

• Educate children in the house about the fuel and store it out of their reach.

• If cooking with gas, close the valve of the cylinder after using it.

If a fire breaks out:

• Raise the alarm to warn others in the house and neighbours.

• Call the fire department – 039 682 5555 – even for small fires.

• If there is excessive smoke in the room, crawl out on the floor.

Following a fire:

• If someone has been burnt, only put water on the burns and remove any tight clothing and jewellery.

• If someone has inhaled smoke, move them to an area with fresh air.

• Call the ambulance service and fire department when there has been a fire or someone has been injured.

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