Every year more businesses and houses are destroyed by fire. It spreads and moves rapidly, in fact it generally takes less than 30 seconds for a small flame to escalate into a major blaze.
Business and homeowners need to be aware of the potential dangers and ensure their properties are equipped to detect a fire as well as that everyone on the premises knows how to react should one break out.
“It is important to realise that it is not only the flames that present a danger. The heat and harmful gases emitted can often be even more life threatening,” says Mike Kidson, managing director of ADT Nelspruit and Northern Region.
He offers the following advice on fire safety and encourages business owners and parents to share it with everyone working or residing on the premises (including children and domestic staff):
• Do not overload electrical sockets or run electrical cords under carpets.
• Develop and practice an escape plan – at least two escape routes out of every room.
• Display your local fire department’s contact number near a phone, and memorise it.
• If you smell or see smoke, crawl to the nearest exit.
• Never open a door that is too hot to touch.
• Alert everyone in the building immediately.
• If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop and roll.
• Never re-enter the premises to retrieve personal belongings.
• Only tackle the fire if it is safe to do so.
Kidson added every business and household should be equipped with smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket. “There are products to suit every budget and for a minimal investment you will have a valuable early-warning system and the means to get a minor fire under control. We also highly recommend that your smoke detectors are linked to an armed-response service to ensure peace of mind that the necessary help is on the way in the event of an emergency.”
