Fire Safety and Prevention survey highlights problems

JOHANNESBURG – Did you know that, as an ADT client, this security company will dispatch the fire department to you if you were to notify them of a fire emergency at your home?

According to the security company’s 2014 Fire Safety and Prevention Survey, conducted in June, only 54 per cent of ADT’s customers were aware of this valuable added benefit.

“This is the third year that we have conducted the survey in order to address the general apathy about fire safety and prevention in Gauteng, says Clive Humphrey, Managing Director of ADT Central Region. “Though we have seen a slight improvement from last year’s results, we still have a long way to go to dispel the ‘it will never happen to me’ myth that keeps people from taking preventive measures against a fire breaking out in their home or place of work.”

Unfortunately, fires do break out and, in the event that it does, it makes sense to have a basic fire prevention plan in place. “Yet, more often than not, we find no smoke detectors or fire extinguishers at the premises, when our officers respond to the scene of a fire,” says Humphrey. It is this lack of fire awareness that prompted the security company to conduct an annual survey. “Our hope and intention is to create an awareness and a more pro-active attitude towards fire and safety prevention with our clients.”

The 2014 survey revealed that although 92 per cent of people had fire extinguishers in their homes, only 18 per cent of these had smoke detectors installed, and an even smaller amount – 10 per cent – had a fire blanket (a sheet of fire retardant material which is placed over a fire in order to smother it) in the house.

On the positive side, 91 per cent of clients said that they always stored matches and lighters out of reach of children and 70 per cent said that the fireplaces in their homes had a protective screen to guard flying members. Another encouraging statistic was the 88 per cent of clients who said that their house number was clearly visible from the street, and that emergency services would be able to find their house easily in the event of a fire. However, of the surveyed clients, only 52 per cent said that they had the emergency numbers clearly displayed near a telephone in the house and a mere 13 per cent had smoke detectors that were linked to their alarm system or security provider. And most alarming of all, only 34 per cent had a family emergency plan in the event of a fire.

“The survey reveals that there are some pivotal issues that we need to address as residents and business owners,” says Humphrey. “Firstly, having emergency numbers clearly displayed near a telephone is key. It takes seconds for a fire to spark and engulf a house. Every second counts and numbers need to be on hand.”

Residents and business owners also need to check their premises and identify potential fire hazards. Thatched roofs, exposed electrics, flammable liquids, gas cylinders and the likes should all be considered as hazards and action taken to minimise the risk, he says.

Humphrey also stresses the importance of linking smoke detectors to an alarm or security system. If linked, private security companies can contact the fire department on behalf of a client, while sending out personnel to assist.

“Lastly, having an evacuation plan in place is paramount. Everyone needs to know what the quickest escape route is should a fire break out, and where the fire extinguishers and blankets are.

“Our aim is not to scare people, we simply want to educate and encourage people to take better care of their homes, businesses and families. By taking cognisance of these tips, residents and business owners can increase their safety and diminish the damaging effects that a fire could have at their property. I urge all residents and business owners not to wait until an incident happens, but to get active and fire-proof their premises now,” concludes Humphrey.