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Fire in the home - emergency planning is keyFire in the home - emergency planning is key<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Common%20Environmental%20Health%20Risks%20In%20The%20Home%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /><p>​Residential fires in Cape Town increased by 20% in the last 12 months – and while fatalities decreased, the data underscores that vigilance in the late night hours and on weekends, is critical. <br></p><p></p><span><p>The Fire & Rescue Service recorded 4 210 residential fires in 2023/24, resulting in 220 fatalities. </p><p>Informal residential fires increased by 15% year-on-year, while formal residential fires increased by 27%.<br></p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;"><strong> </strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;"><strong>2022/23</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;"><strong>2023/24</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Informal residential fires</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 987</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2 283</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Formal residential fires</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 521</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 927</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Total residential fires</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">3 508</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">4 210</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Fatalities</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">243</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">220<br></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br></p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/A%20demo%20of%20how%20sand%20can%20prevent%20candles%20from%20causing%20fires.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:804px;" /> </figure>​​</span><span><p>'The increase in residential fires points to a need for more robust education, awareness and frank conversations about fire risks. The City has worked hard to ensure that it has a well-functioning Fire & Rescue Service that can respond effectively in the event of fire. But ultimately, fire safety in the home requires planning and buy-in from everyone who lives under a particular roof. </p><p>'The prospect of anything happening to your home or your loved ones is not the kind of conversation that too many of us want to have, but ultimately, that can be the difference between life and death. I want to plead with our residents to take the time to see what fire safety measures they can implement for their particular circumstances, and to put together a family emergency plan that everyone is familiar with, should you need to evacuate or act in the event of a fire or any other emergency for that matter,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.<br></p> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/A%20firefighter%20demonstrates%20how%20to%20use%20a%20fire%20extinguisher.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:884px;" /> </figure></span><span><p><strong>A fire safety checklist is available here: </strong><a href="https://bit.ly/4d0s67N" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/4d0s67N</a></p><p>Between January and June 2024, the Fire & Rescue Service recorded 105 fatalities linked to structural fires.</p><p>A breakdown of the statistics shows that:</p><ul><li>80% of fatalities occurred over weekends, between Saturday and Monday</li><li>74% occurred between midnight and 06:00</li><li>56% of victims were adult males<br><br> <br><br>'These statistics are not new, but they serve as a stark reminder that many fires are the result of negligence, tied to alcohol abuse, and often with devastating consequences. These dangers have been highlighted time and again, but it bears repeating – if you are going to drink or use drugs, stay away from anything that is flammable, whether cooking or using candles for lighting, or even smoking a cigarette – especially in bed,' added Alderman Smith.<br></li></ul> <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/A%20firefighter%20in%20the%20midst%20of%20an%20informal%20residential%20fire.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:805px;" /> </figure>​​</span><p><strong>The City has a comprehensive list of basic fire safety tips in the home:</strong> <a href="https://bit.ly/3A6gW2I" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3A6gW2I</a></p><p>Residents are urged to save the Public Emergency Communication Centre's number on their cellphone, in case of emergency: 021 480 7700.</p><p><strong>End</strong> </p><p><br></p>2024-07-31T22:00:00ZGP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891dGP0|#c8cc5142-57fb-4407-b3cd-165b6cafa9ba;L0|#0c8cc5142-57fb-4407-b3cd-165b6cafa9ba|fire safety;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#11d25863-9b43-4241-bd2a-449c8b2013bb;L0|#011d25863-9b43-4241-bd2a-449c8b2013bb|emergencies;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb10

 

 

Cape Town’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2017 - 2022​​​​​​​Cape Town’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2017 - 2022​​​​​​​An overview of the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP).<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Integrated-Development-Plan-Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />GP0|#ff1f5b5a-f062-4989-b7f8-b57ada05f70a;L0|#0ff1f5b5a-f062-4989-b7f8-b57ada05f70a|The City’s IDP 2017-2022;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#58f302a7-f7df-4ca8-a4cc-c321f4c57e0d;GPP|#2ad5ede6-473c-4550-a932-aabda12143b1;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#1ad9a657-d09a-49fe-9c0a-c948b3a5e5ad;L0|#01ad9a657-d09a-49fe-9c0a-c948b3a5e5ad|The City's IDP 2017-2022;GPP|#0fa98455-3bf7-4738-b07c-8db7b211a6df;GPP|#d3f3e0bd-5b83-4c1f-845c-7e13f8f4e17d;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#57be5e69-9793-4ad1-9850-2ff8186556b6;L0|#057be5e69-9793-4ad1-9850-2ff8186556b6|The City’s IDP 2017-2022;GPP|#47b2d3de-463f-44d1-a1f7-1c0ae7779b1d;GPP|#fdaaa5aa-bac4-497d-b6ea-347f228ec59d;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24;GP0|#4ce9eb03-5745-4cdc-8697-248215f2e57a;L0|#04ce9eb03-5745-4cdc-8697-248215f2e57a|The City’s IDP 2017-2022;GPP|#4d609f4b-5ef8-4d26-a00e-98d854d00a11;GPP|#117084d9-e07b-4e3c-a6aa-d2badf907d64;GP0|#bd46fc95-91e2-4109-ac19-25adcb77c70f;L0|#0bd46fc95-91e2-4109-ac19-25adcb77c70f|The City’s IDP 2017-2022;GPP|#df990a42-3326-459e-96a2-55728312bc61;GPP|#8e28a3fa-1ff1-4fbd-ada3-4befc9119617;GP0|#019c0637-c26d-4db9-9127-6d5abed0949b;L0|#0019c0637-c26d-4db9-9127-6d5abed0949b|The City’s IDP 2017-2022;GPP|#680cbe13-3334-40b6-9ef6-8f126e3a71b2;GPP|#d01efebf-2396-4714-ace2-b0ada5ba6962
Heritage information and resourcesHeritage information and resourcesOur well-maintained heritage database and preserved heritage records are available to the public in a number of ways.<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Heritage%20Information%20Resources%2c%20Maps%20And%20Displays%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />GP0|#f9a1afbf-0c3e-41ba-ae20-94f6f15a9403;L0|#0f9a1afbf-0c3e-41ba-ae20-94f6f15a9403|Heritage information and resources;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#b0285696-285a-478d-9edd-44cbd43c6cc1;GPP|#b9188e62-cf1a-433d-a10c-06e34a7d1593;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#86dd7391-47ad-4a12-8a14-a3f7819efed6;L0|#086dd7391-47ad-4a12-8a14-a3f7819efed6|Heritage information and resources;GPP|#c33557cc-ff47-42c3-a36e-c87bd87776e6;GPP|#b61ba3b6-e2ed-4500-bee7-e523686ba8bf;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752
Walking heritage tours of the cityWalking heritage tours of the cityTips and resources for you to walk and explore our beautiful city and its unique natural and cultural heritage.<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Walking%20Heritage%20Tours%20Of%20The%20City%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />GP0|#4a4256ce-c7cc-46e5-ab7b-70b8165e866a;L0|#04a4256ce-c7cc-46e5-ab7b-70b8165e866a|Walking heritage tours of the city;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#18e3b27f-e26a-409d-a7d2-460e88db0868;GPP|#b9188e62-cf1a-433d-a10c-06e34a7d1593;GPP|#c529c1ac-1f8d-48ae-8079-d34f4dae9c57;GP0|#bd035180-fb82-4722-9bbe-5edccbcf30b1;L0|#0bd035180-fb82-4722-9bbe-5edccbcf30b1|Walking heritage tours of the city;GPP|#b2147315-03b2-467a-9465-7fa1f64011be;GPP|#b61ba3b6-e2ed-4500-bee7-e523686ba8bf;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752
Keep our public places clean Keep our public places clean The City provides a number of public cleaning services that you can contact to help keep our public places clean.<img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Keep%20our%20public%20places%20clean%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />GP0|#aa2e8ab1-9bfe-47e1-9f46-ad40744a8a10;L0|#0aa2e8ab1-9bfe-47e1-9f46-ad40744a8a10|Keep our public places clean;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#69af3a35-ae90-45eb-8557-9dcd3cb9880b;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#2df1aee9-5456-437c-98fd-f962fe5ac954;L0|#02df1aee9-5456-437c-98fd-f962fe5ac954|Keep our public places clean;GPP|#298f5623-1943-427a-bf3d-e9ccff072bec;GPP|#4a553a67-2cba-4911-9745-a724e38b645a

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