In Cape Town we tend to think of summer as ‘fire season’ – with extreme heat and high winds. But winter is the time we try to keep warm, of course – and that brings its own set of fire risks.

The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service suggests the following ways to protect yourself from fire in your home this winter: 

  Electricity

• Do not overload your electrical circuits – in other words, don’t keep more than four plugs on one extension (with your heater, your kettle, your stove…)
• Service your electrical components regularly and replace faulty ones
• Switch off all electrical appliances at the wall at night or when leaving your home
• When you are cooking (on any sort of stove, gas, electric or paraffin), do not leave the pot on the stove unless you are watching it
  
  Paraffin
  
  
• Always handle paraffin with extreme care, as it is poisonous and can burn your skin even if unlit Paraffin is often sold in containers contaminated with chemicals such as petrol, or mixed with methylated spirits. This can cause it to flare dangerously or even explode
• Paraffin can cause severe burns, and paraffin stoves that are knocked over or explode are a major cause of injuries and fires in informal settlements. Paraffin also emits harmful fumes when ignited
• Never leave a paraffin appliance unattended. It only takes a second for a gust of wind, pet or child to knock over a light or stove
• Make sure paraffin appliances are on a flat, firm surface
• Do not put a cloth under a paraffin appliance. A child or pet could pull the trailing end and the cloth will then burn, fuelling the fire
• Always have a bucket of sand nearby when using a paraffin appliance. Water will not extinguish a paraffin fire and can make matters worse by spreading the flames. Paraffin fires can only be extinguished using sand or a fire extinguisher
  
  Open flames
  
  
• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach
• Cut candles in half to prevent them falling over – and use a candle holder
• Do not smoke in bed!
  
  General safety
  
  
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your house
• If you have a garden hose, keep it rolled up and ready in case of fire
• Where possible, have more than one exit from your house
• Have an escape plan and make sure that the whole family knows the plan
• Do not park in the way of a fire hydrant (and remind your neighbours and visitors to do the same)
  
  First aid for burns
  
  
• If your clothing catches fire, drop to the ground and roll to put out the flames. Running around will make matters worse
• If someone else is on fire, roll them in a blanket or jacket. This will prevent air getting to the fire and will extinguish it
• If someone has been burned, pour cold water onto the burn very gently and get him or her to a doctor, clinic or hospital immediately
• If the burn is over a large area, keep the person warm as there is a serious risk they will go into shock. Get them medical attention as quickly as possible
• If you spill paraffin, remove any clothing it has spilt on and wash your skin with soap and water. Paraffin can burn your skin even when it is not lit
  
  How to report fires
  
  
• Report all fires by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone
• Report any persons starting fires to Law Enforcement on 021 596 1999
• If you would like a City of Cape Town life-safety educator to visit your school or organisation contact the Fire and Life Safety Education Section on 021 703 3184/5; fax 021 703 3098; or e-mail lifesafety@capetown.gov.za
• The City of Cape Town’s 53 emergency dispatchers at the Command & Control Centre in Goodwood deal with all emergency call handling and mobilising of resources and firefighters