Fire Prevention

Fires are responsible for most unnatural deaths and as such fire prevention should be top priority for all homes.

Based on the most common causes of fires here is a list of some of the less obvious tips for fire prevention. Although many of the tips are common sense a surprisingly high percentage of people prefer to ignore them, sometimes resulting in tragedies that could so easily have been avoided.

Cooking equipment

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires.

• Clean stove surfaces and ovens regularly. Spoils that are baked in are a potential fire hazard. Wipe cooking surfaces immediately after spills.
• Oil or greasy foods can ignite when overheated. . If this should happen carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not try to move the pan, and keep the lid on until the pan cools completely. Baking Soda may also be used to suffocate the fire. Never put water on a grease or oil fire as this will cause the oil to splatter and the fire could spread. Never try to take a burning pot of oil or grease food outdoors as the chances are that it will be too hot to carry and you are likely to drop the pot. This will cause a major house fire.
• When cooking make sure that your sleeves are not at risk of catching alight. Roll up loose fitting sleeves or wear tight-fitting sleeves.
• Ensure that there is at least 1 meter space between your cooking surface and curtains. Keep all other flammable objects including pot holders and dish towels the same distance away from the stove.
• Wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, indoor braais, chimneys, and all other solid-fuelled heating equipment needs to be inspected annually by a professional and cleaned accordingly.
• If there is an oven fire, keep the oven door closed and switch the oven off. If the fire doesn’t go out immediately, call the fire department
• Ensure that all the vents of microwaves are cleared of obstructions so that they have sufficient room to breathe.
• In the case of a fire in your microwave, keep the door of the microwave oven closed and remove the plug from the wall socket. Have the microwave oven serviced prior to using it again.

Heating Equipment

Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months and is the second-leading cause of home fires year-round.

• When buying heaters, look for devices with automatic shutoff features.
• Never leave portable heaters on when you leave the room.
• Portable heaters should be placed at least three feet away from anything flammable.
• First strike a match and then turn on the gas when lighting a gas heater.
• Consider the ventilation of the area when installing any gas-fuelled heating device and never put portable gas heaters without proper vents in bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Never use extension cords with portable heaters. The high amount of current they require could melt the cord and start a fire.

Electrical Distribution Equipment

Wiring, outlets, switches, circuit breakers and other electrical devices are the third leading cause of home fires and the second leading cause of fire deaths.

Incorrect installation of wiring, overloading of outlets and incorrect use of extension cords as well as the misuse and lack of maintenance of electrical appliances are major causes of electrical fires although there are instances where electrical system failures and appliance defects are the culprits.

• Never overload a socket. The use of multiplug outlet extensions that accommodate several plugs is strongly discouraged. Try to limit one high-wattage appliance into each individual outlet at a time
• Some overload signals include: dimming lights when an appliance goes on, fuses blowing frequently or shrinking TV picture.
• Cords on all electrical devices should be inspected regularly and replaced if loose or frayed.
• It is best to avoid the use of extension cords but if it is really necessary make sure that it is not frayed or worn.
• Cut down the number of appliances on a line if a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows frequently.
• If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have them checked by an electrician.
• Avoid overheating of TV and stereo units by assuring sufficient air space surrounding them.
• Never run any electrical cords under carpet or around doorways.

Make sure that both your homeowner’s insurance and household content insurance is adequate. Fire is an insured risks under these types of insurance and if you are unlucky to experience a fire in your house the last thing you want is to find out that either you are under-insured or worse still, not insured at all.