Be fire safe in cold weather

GEORGE NEWS - The approaching colder weather has highlighted the need for fire safety at home again, in particular after a fire broke out earlier this month in Zone 6, Asazani informal settlement. The fire destroyed four shacks and damaged another badly, leaving eight adults and two children homeless.

George fire chief Neels Barnard says winter months are traditionally the busiest time for residential fires as people try to stay warm in cold weather.

"George Municipality Fire and Rescue appeals to everyone to take extra care when working with fire, gas and electricity, to be responsible and fire-conscious at all times - your life and property are at stake," said Barnard.

He said while the causes of house fires are not always straightforward to determine, they can generally be ascribed to unsafe practices such as overloading electrical plugs, falling asleep with burning cigarettes or using a drum or tin fire indoors. "Fires in formal residences are often associated with newly installed fireplaces that had not been sufficiently insulated and new or neglected gas installations," said Barnard.

"Vegetation fires in winter are often associated with homeless people making open fires to keep warm when sleeping outside."

He said the fire department also attends to motor vehicle accidents, which increase when rain and snow accompany the cold. "The above factors are often worsened by alcohol abuse and there is a correlation between the number of callouts on Fridays and at the end of the month when people have been paid wages and salaries."

Winter fire safety tips

Do not overload electrical connections and plugs. Use the plug for what it was made for.
Do not override the safety switch on your electrical board to avoid the electricity kicking out when you overload plugs.
Monitor plugs and check that they do not become hot.
Disconnect cellphone and other chargers when you are not using them.
Do not use drum and tin fires indoors.
Do not get into bed with a cigarette.
Turn the electrical heater off before you fall asleep.
If you install a fireplace, use a reputable builder or installer and monitor new installations when in use. Have your fireplace and chimney serviced regularly.
What to do when your house is on fire
Stay low and under the smoke.
Make alarm and get everyone out of the house.
Close doors of rooms behind you as you move through and out of the house.
Phone the fire department when you are outside. (Save the fire department's number on your phone - see below)
What to do when a house is on fire near you
Phone the fire department. (Save the fire department's number on your phone - see below).
Move cars and other obstacles out of the way so fire trucks can pass.
Do not carry furniture into the road where it can be in the way of fire trucks and firefighters.
Do not go into the burning house for any reason.
Do not open the doors or break windows - it fuels the fire.