03 November 2021 Media Release: Firefighters from Garden Route DM educate the youth and elderly about fires

• Follow the emergency exit signs that are mounted on walls and nearby doors.
• Move to a safe space of shelter away from the fire or emergency.
• Move to the point where of gathering.

• Never use water to kill an electrical fire. It’s also handy to keep a bucket of clean sand ready outside your kitchen door, or if possible, a small fire extinguisher.
• Do not stand or evacuate uphill from a veld, bush or mountain fire because fires spread faster in an upwards direction.
• Do not attempt to outrun a fast-spreading veld and bush fire, rather move back to where it has already burned.

• Veld, bush and mountain fires spread faster uphill and through valleys.

• A fire needs heat, oxygen and fuel to survive. Without one of these elements, the fire will die.
• If you don’t have access to water or a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, you can use other methods such as sand or a wet blanket. If the fire occurs on your kitchen stove, try to smother the fire by placing a lid on top of the pot or pan.

• not leave open fires unattended and should use sand to kill the fire;
• make sure that your home has no illegal electrical connections and that multi-plugs are not overloaded, as these can overheat, causing sparks and fires;
• keep the area around your home clear of materials (leaves, rubbish, plastic and old timber) that can start a fire;
• tell someone who’s playing carelessly with fires, matches or lighters to stop;
• know your emergency numbers to report veld fires in your area immediately; and
• Veld fires spread fast, so it needs to be extinguished immediately, or the Fire Brigade must be called immediately.

• Children and the elderly should be assisted and evacuated to a place of safety first.

• Fire extinguishers are usually mounted in an area that is freely accessible should be about 1.0 to 1.2 meters from the floor and be unobstructed.
• Pull the pin.
• Aim at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever.
• Sweep side to side.

• Go to the nearest door or opening, away from the fire;
• If exit signs are present, follow the exit signs;
• Go to a safe area away from the fire or to a known assembly point; and
• Do not use elevators.

• Never leave an open fire – for example, around a braai – unattended.
• Don’t let open fires, such as a braai – get too big and out of control.
• Monitor weather conditions. If the wind is strong, instead put the fire out till the wind dies down.
• Open fires are a common cause of uncontrolled fires in the Garden Route District. It’s a good idea not to start a fire when it’s hot, dry and especially not when it’s windy.
• Keep a braai well away from any surrounding vegetation or flammable materials, structures, as well as children and pets.

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