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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