01 June 2011

Protect family and staff by preventing fires

Fire statistics published by the Fire Protection Association of South Africa show that 376 South Africans died in the more than 40 000 fires that occurred in 2007. As many as 9 746 fires were reported to have occurred in South African private homes during the same period, resulting in losses of more than R573bn.

There are time-tested ways in which to prevent and survive a fire. Fire prevention and survival requires practicing and planning ahead of time, keeping in mind that a fire might break out at any time. Minimising the risk of fires breaking out needlessly should be the number one priority in any fire safety strategy. 

Preventions such as avoiding smoking indoors, regularly testing of electrical appliances, and removing electrical heaters, can help to reduce the risk of fires breaking out. Safety precautions should be taken in the home and you should have an appropriate fire safety and evacuation plan in place. As an employer, there is a legal requirement for fire risk assessment. Businesses should ensure that they have a well-defined fire evacuation plan in place.

Prevent fires from starting by doing the following:

• Always keep a fire extinguisher close by.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Take care when using portable heaters. Keep bedding, clothes, curtains and other combustible items at least one meter away from all heaters.
• Do not smoke indoors. Do not leave cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended.
• Do not add lighter fluid to an already lit fire.
• Do not keep gasoline, paraffin or flammable liquids in the house.
• Do not leave any cooking unattended. Clean cooking surfaces to prevent food and grease build-up.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Fit your home with a smoke alarm, and test it monthly to see that it still works.
• Before using a gas grill, check that the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line are in proper working order
• Dispose of hot coals properly and douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Do not place coals in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Make sure that all family members know that they must ‘stop, drop and roll’ if a piece of their clothing catches on fire.
• Do not leave campfires unattended.
• Routinely check electrical appliances and wiring to make sure that they are in proper working order.
• Use electrical extension cords wisely and do not overload them.
• Do not allow children to play with (or around) electrical appliances, such as heaters, irons and hair-dryers.
• Become thoroughly familiar with your building evacuation plan. Make sure that everyone knows what to do if the fire alarm sounds. Plan and practice your escape plan together.
• Do not lock fire exits, doorways, halls or stairways.
• Be sure that your building manager posts evacuation plans in high traffic areas. Know who is responsible for maintaining the fire safety systems. Make sure that nothing blocks access to fire equipment, and promptly report any sign of damaged or malfunctioning fire equipment to the building management.

* (excerpts from Safety First with SafeQuip)

Twenty five percent of these fires occurred in homes and cars, and handheld dry chemical powder (dcp) fire extinguishers are able to extinguish most of these types of fire. They are available at retail and hardware stores and are quite affordable. Fire blankets are fire-resistant, light and easy to handle. You can use them to extinguish a fire on a person whose clothing has caught alight by wrapping the blanket around their body. You can also use a fire blanket to cover a stove in the event of a pan fire, or even use one to cover yourself with, in order to escape a building that is on fire.

Fire alarms are underutilised in the home and alert occupants by detecting smoke. They also come with batteries, negating the need to connect to electricity.

All of the above items can be purchased together, in a box, called the Home Fire Safety Kit, and the Fire Safety Booklet can be downloaded for free from www.safequip.co.za

Download PDF here

 

Other articles of interest

• Fighting fires in informal settlements