Fire Safety Hints

In an interview the Port Elizabeth Fire Department in South End said please be careful. The spokesman said that fire crackers and rockets are one of the main causes of fire problems such as houses catching fire. Rockets may veer off course and hit flammable plastic guttering on the roof or other flammable material. 
He said that in the UK it is compulsory to have domestic smoke detectors and the fire department wants the law to be changed in South Africa so that it is compulsory here too. Battery smoke alarms are available and they are well worth while. He said that fire extinguishers are strongly recommended.

On what to do if there is a fire in the home he said: 1) Raise the alarm 2)Make sure the escape route is unobstructed 3)Help old and infirm people and children first 4) Doors should be tested with the back of the hand. If warm do not open 5)If there is a lot of smoke crawl along the floor where the air is cleaner. 6)Bedding can be thrown down to break a fall if necessary 7)Don’t go back for anything Congregate in one place so people can be accounted for 9) If it is necessary to open a window open the top third if possible for more suitable air flow and seal off the bottom of doors with towels to keep smoke out if necessary. 10) Obviously the fire department should be called.

Regarding fires caused by hot fat in pans on the stove, wet a blanket or suitable cloth and cover the pan with this.
On going to bed check cigarettes and other dangerous objects.