Parkview Residents Association host AGM and discuss fire prevention
PARKTOWN – Residents who attended the PRA Annual General Meeting got some information of fire prevention from the MMC as well as PRA.
An evening set aside to talk about community issues and updates saw residents in and around Parkview make their way to Parktown High School for Girls for the Parkview Residents Association‘s (PRA) AGM.
MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, who is serving his third term as councillor, addressed attendees on the state of the fire department. “Some of our fire engines are decades old and our firefighters go out on these old fleets. I’ve spoken to the City of Johannesburg’s management about renting [fire] engines in the meantime.”
He added that they would be taking steps such as conducting fire station audits to ensure their equipment was up to date.
Advising residents he said, “I won’t ask you to become a firefighter or the Metro police, I ask you to be vigilant and responsible most especially with children around fire sources. This should not just be for your own household, but look out for your neighbours as well because a fire starting next door could well spread to your side.”
Colleen Alborough of the association shared some fire prevention tips:
- When buying a home, ensure all certificates of compliance (CoCs) for gas, electrical, electric fences and chimneys are legitimate, completed correctly and up-to-date
- Use an insurance broker who can help you go through the fine print to ensure you are not under or over insured, and assist with claims should anything happen
- Install smoke, gas leak and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors need to be in the roof as well
- Make sure that a set of keys is kept near doors so that you can get out of a room if trapped inside
- Keep at least four fire extinguishers in the house
- Invest in a fire blanket, a first aid kit and Burnshield packs.
- Keep candles, matches and gas bottles locked away securely
- Teach children how to get out of the house without adult help and perform fire drills with your family and staff at least every six months
- Set up community support and a rapid emergency response team or emergency response WhatsApp group with neighbours or friends who live in close proximity.
Details: Visit the Parkview Residents Association website or email info@parkview.org.za
For all fire-related incidents call 10177 from a landline or 112 from a cell phone.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services 011 407 6374.
