City Steps Up Fire Awareness Campaign

Last year nearly 9 000 homes were destroyed in the fires that occurred in informal settlement across the City.
A total of 1 327 fires were reported for in informal settlements between 1 January and 26 December 2005.

The highest number of destroyed homes was reported in January 2005 with 2 329 shacks which included the major Joe Slovo disaster. The second highest number of ravaged dwellings were reported in December when 1 825 homes burnt to the ground.

According to Piet Smith, Chief Fire Officer of the City, these statistics are cause for grave concern. The warmest month, February is still to come and registration of people who have lost everything in the latest Joe Slovo fire in January was hindered by people only returning from their summer holidays this week.

"These fires destroy people's lives and rob them of their dignity. During the summer months fire is the City's number one enemy. The dry conditions and strong winds this time of the year helps fires to spread rapidly and cause a lot of damage to property and claim lives, lives we cannot afford to lose," he says.

The latest statistics reveal that for the past seven years the number of fires in informal settlements has averaged over 1 000 per annum. The City's awareness campaign to educate people and to raise safety awareness is well under way. Staffs of Fire and Rescue Services are assisting Disaster Management to distribute safety pamphlets at informal settlements. Fire engines have been going to these settlements to familiarise the crews with these areas and to meet with inhabitants to educate them on fire safety.

"The campaign is aimed to mobilise individuals to assume responsibility for their own safety and the safety of their communities. We believe disaster risk management is everybody's business and will continue to inform, educate and support our residents," says Smith. He says most blazes in our informal settlements are caused by candles or paraffin stoves falling over.

"These types of fires can be easily prevented by cutting candles in half. It is less likely to fall over if it is shorter. Another easy tip is to put a handful of dry sand in the base of a candle holder to keep it stable. In the case of paraffin stoves people should place these stoves on a bed of sand within a container such as an old tin drum," says Mr Enoch Kopele, a disaster management Co-Ordinator who has been closely involved in relief operations after major fires.
"We call on all residents to join hands in fighting the scourge of fires by following some easy to follow safety tips," says Smith. (Please refer to tips below)

Fire Safety Tips

For all emergencies, phone 107 or 021 480-7700 from cellular phones.

Protect yourself from fire

• Build homes at least three metres apart to prevent fires from spreading.
• Every home needs more than one way out in case of fire.
• Keep matches, lighters, paraffin and poisons safe and far away from young children.
• Use a child safety cap on paraffin bottles.
• Keep stoves on a flat surface - away from drafts and things that can burn.
• Fires and cooking stoves should never be left unattended.
• Put out candles and lamps before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• Smoking in bed is dangerous.

Plan ahead

• Keep a bucket of water and a bucket of sand ready to put out small fires before they spread.
• But don't put yourself in danger.
• Use water for wood, paper and material fires.
• Use sand for paraffin fires.

Electrical fires

• Turn off the electricity before putting out an electric fire.

Gas fires

• Frst turn off the gas. Then use a lid or damp cloth to put out the flames.
• If you can't turn off the gas, get out and stay out.

Calling for help

• Know and show the emergency number and teach children how to dial 107 in emergencies.
• When you phone, give the full address and a landmark or beacon such as a shop or school close to the fire to enable firefighters to find you quickly.

If a fire breaks out

• Warn people inside the building to get out
• Crawl low under smoke to escape the fire
• Help people to get out, and then stay out.
• Call the emergency services on 107 and get help fast!
• Keep roads clear for easy access of the fire engines.
• Keep fire hydrants clear for firefighters to get water to put out the fire.
• Alcohol and paraffin do not mix. Prevent people under the influence of alcohol from operating open-flame appliances.
• Arson is a criminal offence which can ruin the lives of thousands of innocent people.

• Please report criminal activity to the police.
• Be alert - let's fight fires by co-operating and being sensible.

Issued by :
Communication and Marketing: City of Cape Town
Email: media@capetown.gov.za
Tel: 021 400 2201
Fax: 021 957 0023

Further information :
Johann Minnie
Disaster Management Coordinator
Cell: 084 22 000 74