The Department Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management has provided safety tips to ensure that everyone is safe during the fire season.
• Do not burn any rubbish in any municipal area as it is against the Fire Brigades Act and Veld and Forest Fire Act.
• Keep the grass cut next to the houses.
• When making an open fire for the preparation of food, make sure the area is safe and free of dry grass and ensure that the fire does not spread out.
• Do not throw out cigarettes out of the vehicle’s window.
• Make sure that children do not play with lighters or matches.
• Do not go to sleep while leaving a heater on and do not leave it unattended.
• Makes sure that the house’s electric wiring is inspected and approved by a qualified electrician.
• Do not lay an electric wire underneath a carpet.
• Do not overload electrical plugs or sockets.
• Do not throw hot ash out on the grass or in a plastic rubbish bin, use a steel dustbin.
• Do not store gas or any other flammable liquid together or in the house as it might react with each other.
• Do not use flammable liquid such as paraffin to start a fire, rather use fire starters, they are safer.
• Make sure your stove or heater is switched off when leaving your house.
• When a pot catches fire, just put on the lid of the pot and switch off the electricity and call the Fire Department.
• When an oven catches fire, just close the oven door and switch off the electricity and call the Fire Department.
• Do not dry any clothes in an oven.
• Do not use a heater to dry your clothes.
• Do not play with flammable liquids or chemicals, it may react and start a fire or even explode.
• Install a smoke alarm in each room, it will alert you when a fire occurs.
• Install a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, place it by each door that leads to the outside.
• If electrical appliances catch fire, switch of the electricity and remove all the objects around that particular appliance.
• It is wise to draw up an emergency plan and practice the emergency plan every month.
• This will ensure that all the house members know how to handle it or what to do when such emergencies occur.
• During welding or hot operations make sure that the area is free from hazardous substances such as flammable liquids, rubbish or any other substances that might catch fire.
• Never leave children alone at home.
Standerton Fire Department: 017 712 5551, 017 712 5458 or 017 712 1067.
Morgenzon Fire Department: 017 793 3496.
