Tips to prevent shack fires
EMS recommends that buildings in informal settlements be placed at least three meters apart.
The City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) would like to advise the community about preventing shack fires during the winter.
According to them preparation is always better when anticipated challenges such as cold temperatures are looming, moreover in informal settlements. They advise that three-meter social distancing among the constructed shacks should be adhered to. If not, the entire informal settlement is subjected to a catastrophic end.
“Knowing fire safety practices can carry us safely through this cold season,” said William Ntladi, spokesperson for DEMS.
“Stay home, stay indoors and always put safety practices as a priority. These will keep everyone safe from devastating winter fires and mainly from Covid-19 infections as well.”
Most fires are caused by lack of thought, concentration or carelessness. Cigarettes, lighters, matches, candles, illegal electrical connections and overloading of circuits, heating appliances such as paraffin stoves, braziers and equipment such as power generators, liquified gas appliances, all can be lethal if not properly monitored.
First important question you should ask yourself a question; How far is your neighbor`s structure from yours? If is less than three metres away, it is too close. In case of fire, the blaze can spread with ease.
Here are some safety tips to prevent shack fires:
1. Keep a close eye on paraffin stoves. Don’t cook near a window with curtains.
2. Make sure the stove does not fall over, which may cause a fire and burn children.
3. Make sure candles cannot fall over. Don’t go to sleep with candles still burning.
4. Never put braziers or coal braai-stands inside your home.
5. Keep combustibles at least a meter away from the heat source.
6. Smoking in bed is dangerous.
7. Be careful of discarded cigarette butts.
8. Be aware of the dangers of illegal and faulty electrical connections, which can cause fires.
9. Refill the electrical power generators, paraffin stoves or lamps while still cold.
10. Keep separate buckets handy filled with water and sand, so that you can extinguish different flames easily.
11. In case of a fire call local Emergency Services Firefighters as soon as possible on (011) 458 0911, 10177 or 112.
In case your clothes catch fire, do not run, it is better to stop, drop, and roll. An instinct will drive one to run but unfortunately, the more you run, the further the flame is aggravated.
In case of someone burns, cover him/her with a blanket, this will prevent flame sustainability and leads to fire extinguishment.
City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services Department (DEMS) is ready as ever in this difficult time of covid-19 pandemic and winter season.
Stay home, stay indoors and together we can achieve to save lives and properties.
Issued on behalf of CoE DEMS
