Metro aims to prevent harmful fires
The Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality launched its pre-winter fire safety awareness campaign, aimed at reducing residential fire-related deaths and injuries in the city of Ekurhuleni.
Municipal leaders kicked off the campaign themed, “Together Let’s Save Lives”, on Friday, April 25.
The launch attended by hundreds of Ekurhuleni residents was held at the Delmore informal settlement soccer pitch.
The attendees included Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety, Mthuthuzeli Siboza, ward councillors including Clr Hillary Coke and Clr Lindiwe Sibidli, Ekurhuleni Emergency Services officials, residents of the informal settlements in Ekurhuleni, 413 members of the Ekurhuleni Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and other guests.
According to Siboza, 75 people have died of fire in Ekurhuleni between 2008 and 2013, and the metro is hoping to stop that soaring fire-related deaths in the city.
To combat the dangerous fires, Siboza urges people, especially those living in informal settlements, to be vigilant and not to be negligent with anything flammable.
Residents are also encouraged to always make sure that they use safe paraffin stoves or fuel cookers.
Different companies that specialise on fuel stoves were also on hand to give advice.
During the launch, officials also used the opportunity to introduce the new members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Speaking during the event Siboza said: “To show that we are taking these fire incidents very serious, the metro is in the process of recruiting 600 volunteers to drive the campaign aimed at reducing fire-related-deaths in the city.
These qualified volunteers from the different informal settlements will also assist emergency services during incidents in their communities.
They will be tasked with driving fire safety and prevention in their respective communities.
The number of volunteers currently stands at 413, and they have been equipped with skills that will enable them to respond better in the event of fires.
Siboza says the volunteers who are trained in the basic knowledge of dealing with fires in the informal settlements will help to alleviate the impact of break-out fires.
With the alarming rate of fire related deaths in the informal settlements, here are some simple safety tips to help keep you safe.
* Never leave switched-on paraffin stove unattended.
* Always make sure that the paraffin stove is placed on a flat, solid surface so that it cannot be knocked over or bumped.
*Do not put a paraffin stove next to the curtain as it can catch fire.
*Always have a bucket full of sand nearby when using a paraffin stove.
* Do not use water to put out a paraffin fire and never leave children alone near a paraffin stove.
* Regarding candles fire officials say never leave a candle burning out of sight or when you are asleep
* Extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to bed.
*n Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.
* Do not place lit candles where children can trip over them; and always use the right candle holder for the candle.
Officials also advise smokers to extinguish their cigarette butts before discarding them.
