In the spirit of Fire Prevention Week, Ekurhuleni Emergency Services (EMS) joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on October 14 in educating the residents of Arebaokery Hospice about the importance of working smoke alarms.
Fire Prevention Week runs from October 13 to 17 and the theme for this year’s campaign is Working Smoke Alarms can make a Life-saving Difference.
According to Hendrick Sibara from the EMS, the objective of the awareness was to remind local residents about the importance of having smoke alarms in homes and to ensure they are tested on a regular basis.
“Working smoke alarms can assist in detecting fire or smoke early, giving every person enough time to get out before the fire gets deadly,” said Sibara.
According to the NFPA most fires kill at least two people and in 2013 alone, eight house fires killed at least five people.
Community members were also taught about some of the leading causes of fires which include heating, smoking materials, candles and unattended cooking.
Residents were urged to be extra careful when dealing with fire-related activities.
Various Hospices around Tembisa will have fire alarms installed by the Emergency Services and it will include old age homes within the area as well as other non-profit organisations in Tembisa.
