Due to the current extreme cold weather conditions in the country, various methods to keep warm are used.
In some instances, these methods can be dangerous and fatal.
As such, the police in the Northern Cape are urging the public to adhere to the following safety measures:
1. Never start a fire inside your house or shack
You can fall asleep while the “dombolo barrels” are still burning, which can lead to a devastating fire. Do not smoke in bed or leave candles and cigarette buds burning.
2. Never leave your kitchen appliances, such as a gas stove, unattended whilst cooking
It only takes a few seconds for a fire to break out. If you need to leave the kitchen, make sure to either ask someone to watch the stove or turn everything off until you are back.
3. Inspect your heating systems
House fires may be triggered if your home heating systems are not working properly, or if you fall asleep while heaters are still on. Be extra careful when using electric blankets.
4. Store any flammable products correctly
Household cleaners and items such as hair spray or shaving cream may be hazardous if exposed to a strong heat source. Always store these safely in a cool area, away from any heaters.
5. Maintain electrical wires and avoid illegal and unsafe connections
Do not overload plugs with extra electric heating appliances. Damaged wires can be a detrimental fire hazard and need replacing as soon as possible.
Be aware that wires can get hot when in use. Be sure to check your wire placement and avoid passing them under a carpet or anything that could potentially catch fire.
6. Be cautious with open flames
Be extra careful around your fireplace. Always extinguish fires before you go to bed. If you have small children or pets, keep open flames out of their reach as much as possible.
7. Keep a fire extinguisher or blanket around at all times
Fire extinguishers and blankets will be your best defence in the event of a fire breaking out. Every family member should know how to use a fire extinguisher so that in the event that something in your home does catch fire, it can be put out as fast as possible. Fire blankets are also very useful for putting out small fires, but rather call the fire brigade when you see the fire is becoming larger, fiercer, and life-threatening.
Arrive Alive also gives more information on preventing fires at home
The most probable sources of a potential fire inside the home could come from any of the following, but is not limited to:
- frayed electrical wires on appliances;
- burning candles;
- heaters or electric blankets;
- cigarette, cigar or tobacco pipe embers;
- fireplaces;
- gas leaks followed by an igniting spark;
- children playing with matches; or
- burning oil on a stovetop.
Most of these would need to be accelerated by another source. For example, a roll of toilet paper or tissues near a heater grill or heater bar may ignite and start a fire.
It is therefore very important to keep the area around any of these aforementioned potential fire hazards clear.
Synthetic materials are widely used in household furniture. This material is highly flammable and will burn quickly once set alight.
Keep open flames or embers away from foam matresses, stuffed couches, curtains, and carpets. These usually also cover a wide surface area and will be the cause of other possibly less-flammable objects to catch alight.
