Safety tips to avoid a fire in the house, and who to call if you need to
Do you know who to call if your house catches fire?
If you discover a fire that you are unable to safely extinguish, immediately call emergency services for assistance.
The following numbers can be used:
City of Joburg EMS control centre 10177 or 011 375 5911, or 112 if calling from a cellphone.
* Fire Ops SA emergency number 083 622 6026.
When dealing with a fire emergency, call for help as soon as possible and try to remain calm. Stay on the phone for as long as possible to answer any questions. Extra information such as stating your nearest street corner when providing your address may help emergency services reach you faster.
Here are some tips supplied by City of Johannesburg Emergency Services for staying safe this winter:
- Never leave a candle or fire unattended, especially during load-shedding.
- It is not advised but if you have an open flame inside your dwelling. If you must, it is vitally important to have a window or door open for proper ventilation. If you start to feel dizzy or sleepy, immediately go outside for fresh air and extinguish the heat source.
- Ensure that electric or gas heaters are positioned on a flat surface, away from anything flammable like a curtain or carpet.
- Make sure children and pets are unable to reach heaters, candles, or fires.
- Do not use heaters of any kind to dry clothing or bedding.
- If you smell gas or smoke, quickly turn off relevant appliances, ventilate the room and get any equipment checked by a professional to ensure they are safe to use.
*Fire Ops SA is a privately owned firefighting operation, active in the greater Johannesburg area. They specialise in structural firefighting and rescue operations.
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