During winter season, temperatures are very low, and in some instances, they register to sub-zero levels. Basically, everyone is trying to keep warm, either at home or at work throughout.
As much as the entire country and the whole world in faced with a humongous challenge of the covid-19 pandemic, winter season has got its own challenges as well in terms of fire related emergencies. “Emergency can strike at any time”. To keep everyone save, the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), would like to share fire safety practices with the society at large to save lives and properties.
Common Causes of Structural Fires during Winter season:
Candles and Paraffin Lamps as Lighting sources: • Fires caused by candles and paraffin lamps use are common during the electrical power failures and load-shadings. • Fires are common in the informal Settlements where candles and paraffin lamps are used as lighting sources. Safety tips to prevent candle fires and paraffin lamp fires: I. Never leave the candles or paraffin lamps unattended. Always extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep. II. Always keep the candles and paraffin lamps away from the reach of children. III. Keep candles and paraffin lamps in the centre of the table, away from curtains, papers, and all combustibles. They should be away from windows and doors. Wind draft can influence the flames. IV. In terms of candles, use appropriate candle holders unlike sources, plates, which can lead to the candle falling and causing the fire. V. Keep the candle to appropriate size to avoid bending and fall over. VI. Paraffin lamps not to be filled to the tip leading to paraffin spill. Refill while cold before lighting.
Paraffin Stoves, Gas stoves and Electrical stoves as Cooking sources: Cooking is a relaxing and fun activity that brings friends and family together. It’s during this time that people often forget the risks and dangers that are just an arm’s length away.
Different people use different methods of cooking in line with energy requirements. Cooking fires are the primary cause of home fires and home fire injuries and at extreme, they result in death. Most cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of common household items such as wall coverings, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc.
Tips to help prevent cooking source fires: Keep an Eye on What You Fry or Cook. Never leave a stove unattended. This is important when you cook frying or cooking with highly combustible ingredients like oils and butters. One splash, an unintended drip, and the whole range can erupt in a ball of fire. Keeping a close eye will not only prevent a potential fire but will also allow you to react before it is too late. i. Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol or medication, don’t use the stove or stovetop. ii. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or baking food. iii. If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. iv. Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
What to consider and of great importance is: If you have a cooking fire: Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 011 458 0911 in the City of Ekurhuleni or the local emergency number after you leave. If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out. (Escape plan). Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Safety considerations for cooking with oil Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop. Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see threads of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot. Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying. Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter. Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire. If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside.
Electric Heaters, Paraffin Heaters, Gas Heaters, Fireplaces and “Braziers commonly known as Umbawula” as heating sources! There is nothing devastating like getting home from work or school during winter season and find the entire home being freezing cold or even getting into your workstation in the morning. Most people are deceived by circumstances and forget fire safety practices. One common unsafe practice is “leaving heat sources unmonitored with the intension of keeping the homes or workstations warm in your absence.”
Tips to prevent Heating source fires: Keep matches and lighters away from children. Keep anything combustible at least one meter away from the heating equipment. (Space heaters, fireplaces, coal stoves; etc..) Never use your oven as a heating source. Have a qualified professional install stationary heating equipment according to the local safety codes and as per manufacturer`s instruction. Have heating equipment and chimney cleaned and inspected every year prior heating season. Always keep all the heating sources monitored when in use. Remember to turn all heating equipment prior leaving the room/home or going to bed. Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning heating sources. Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood that has been split, stacked and allowed to dry for at least twelve months and above. All fuel burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home. If you smell Gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call for assistance. Install smoke alarm and test it at least once month. No Braziers (Umbawula) inside the home! It is a lethal practice.
City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services department is ready as ever even in this difficult time of lockdown the country is experiencing. Together we can achieve, and lives and properties can be saved.
In case of Life-Threatening Emergencies, the public around the City should phone the following numbers for the attention of emergency services and disaster management.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS (011) 458- 0911 : Life Threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency Line 10177 : National Toll-Free Number
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