The 4th of October to the 10th marks a week dedicated to Fire Prevention in the Western Cape. During the hot and dry summer season, wildfires are more prevalent and are difficult to control. Most wildfires are started by people compared to the small amount started by natural occurrences.
We urge everyone to take responsibility for their own actions, know when it is not suitable conditions to make a fire and be sure to clean up after yourself and remember to always ensure that the fire is extinguished at the end of your festivities.
It is always a good idea to have at least one fire extinguisher and fire blanket in your house in case of a fire emergency. I would also like to encourage everyone to have an evacuation drill done at least twice a year, once during the day and one at night to ensure your family knows what to do should a fire break out in your home.
It takes 3 to 5 minutes for a fire to engulphed a house.
Approximately 80% of all fires occur in private residences, not at work or other places, so home fires actually present the greatest threat to lives via fire. We seem to forget, and many don’t realize, that fires kill more people each year than all other natural disasters combined, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
In 2020, 792 incidents were reported in the Western Cape, with 440 being formal residential fires and 352 informal settlement fires, while last year during the same period 920 incidents were reported, with 439 formal dwellings and 481 informal settlement fires.
We urge everyone to be vigilant and safe during the festive season. Unfortunately, sun burn is not the only “burn” to be wary of.
Albert Smit.
NOSA Safety Officer & SAQCC Fire Technician
