This will form the monthly lesson for the Making A Difference campaign’s Domestic Watch meetings at Fiorentina Restaurant, corner of Champion and Bridle Pass roads.
Penny Steyn of the campaign said, “Too many horror stories have been told through negligence, not knowing any better or just by accident. Nobody is immune to having their home burnt down. My own home nearly burnt to the ground a year or two back,” said Steyn.
She said it was difficult for families to recover when someone dies in a fire, but the results of fire are devastating, even if no one dies.
“I had the pleasure of meeting a very prominent member of our society who contributes extensively to good work in South Africa. He wrote to me about fire and said he used to be on the committee of an organisation called the World Burn Foundation and was on the international committee of the International Fire
Prevention Organisation – linked with the United Nations.”
The man told Steyn that almost 55 percent of all fire deaths are as a result of house fires occurring in developed urban areas. He said 25 percent of fire deaths occur in developed township areas, yet only 18 percent of fire deaths occur in undeveloped urban areas, such as informal settlements.
Steyn said a specialist in emergency services would inform the domestic workers of fire safety tips and these would also be distributed in hand-outs.
Details: Penny Steyn, psteyntraining@absamail.co.za
