Protect your home and loved ones from the threat of winter fires
Ensure that all members of the household or business are aware of the fire drill procedures before an emergency occurs.
JOHANNESBURG – Fire Departments around the country know that winter is a very busy season. More fires are reported annually between the months of June to the end of August than any other period in the year.
Winter has become synonymous with electricity shortages, hence the higher risk associated with indoor fires, but there are many other factors that contribute to winter being a high-danger period for fires. The air is drier, there is more static in the air, we overload power sockets with the use of heaters, electric blankets and other heating devices.
Clive Humphrey, Managing Director of ADT Central Region, says we need to be aware of this potential danger. “Make sure your home or business is equipped to both detect and deal with a fire should one break out,” he says, and points out that appliances, such as heaters, that have not been used for several months can become electrically unsafe and cause a fire when switched on for the first time. “Fire has the potential to wipe out everything in its path in just minutes. It can smoulder undetected for hours then suddenly explode in fiery destruction. You need to take every possible precaution to minimise the risks,” says Humphrey.
Consider these helpful tips to keep your home and business safe from fire this winter:
• Install smoke detectors. Having a smoke detector is a safe, effective, and unobtrusive way of protecting a home or business against the dangers of fire. It acts as a valuable early-warning system. The detector will not pick up a naked flame but rather smoke or a smouldering fire. This is a key preventative measure that people should consider installing. Smoke detectors are most valuable when linked to an armed response service. An alarm notification will be sent to the control room when smoke is detected and the necessary help can immediately be dispatched.
• When buying, building or renovating your home, make sure all roofing materials are fire resistant.
• Clean your gutters regularly. Dry leaves and other foliage in rain gutters can easily catch fire. Similarly, trim back any trees that are within close range of your chimney and dead branches overhanging around your home to prevent them from catching fire.
• Do not overload electrical sockets or run electrical cords under carpets.
• Develop and practice an escape plan – plan two ways out of every room!
• Ensure that all members of the household or business are aware of the fire drill procedures before an emergency occurs.
• Display your local fire department’s telephone number near the landline and store it on speed dial on your cellphone and then memorise it too.
• If you live near a veld, consider removing any dry branches that may hang over your property wall that could catch fire should a veldfire break out.
• Creating a fire break to prevent sparks and members from entering your property is also a good idea.
• Store firewood and other combustibles away from your home, and keep the lids on your dustbins.
• Never re-enter the house for personal belongings should a fire break-out.
• If your clothing catches fire – STOP, DROP and ROLL. And, only ever tackle the fire if it is safe to do so.
“In a fire emergency every second counts,” warns Humphrey. “Getting the fire department to the property as soon as possible is crucial. You can assist them by ensuring that your house or business premises’ number is clearly visible. It is also very important that the fire department can access the property when they arrive so ensure your security provider, neighbour or someone nearby has keys or a gate remote control to enable access,” he adds.
“Let’s work together to make this winter a fire-free one,” Humphrey concludes.
