firefighting.co.za

Use:

• Ensure the blanket is flat on the bed and has no folds or creases.
• Secure firmly using ties, DO NOT use pins.
• Ensure that the leads are extended (not coiled) and visible, clear of foot traffic (to avoid tripping over them!)
• While blanket is in use avoid placing objects (ie. boxes) on top of it.
• Always supervise children when blanket is in use.

Storage:

• When storing it is recommended your blanket be rolled, not folded. Store your blanket in a dry area where no object will be placed on it.

Cleaning:

• Always follow care instructions provided on the blanket label.
• An annual safety check is recommended.
• Also carry out a visual check of the cords and the general blanket condition often, and remember,

Fire Blankets are useful for covering cooking related fires, for wrapping around a person to smother a clothing fire or using as a cover to escape through flames.

Always call the Fire Service, even for small fires to check that everything is safe and properly extinguished, there is no charge for this.

Fire extinguishers should only be used in the following circumstances:

• When everyone has been evacuated and accounted for at a safe meeting place.
• When the fire service has been called.
• When it is safe to do so considering the size and location of the fire.
• Access to the fire is unrestricted and a safe retreat is possible at all times.

Remember life is more important than property, don’t put yourself or others at risk.

Only when everyone is outside and the fire service has been called, should you attempt to put the fire out, and only if it is contained and you can safely escape.

Where should I install the fire extinguisher?

• Fire Extinguishers should be wall mounted above the normal reach of children, and in or near the kitchen.
• If it is in the kitchen, don’t put it to close to the stove or cooking surfaces.
• Ideally have another extinguisher in the garage and one in the car.
• Caravans should have one attached to the inside of the door.
• Boats should have one mounted in a protected area where it can be reached from the open deck.

Operating the extinguisher

• Always carefully read the instructions on the side of the extinguisher, and make everyone staying in the house aware of where it is and how to use it.
• Most extinguishers require a safety pin or clip to be removed before a trigger can be operated.
• Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, keeping yourself low, and work the extinguisher in a sweeping motion from left to right.
• Don’t start to close to the fire ( most extinguishers are designed to be operated from about 2 - 3 meters away).

The Fire Service encourages people to attend public fireworks displays, but if you do plan to use fireworks at home then the following safety tips will help.

• Read instructions on the fireworks before using them
• Use a torch to read the instructions
• Light fireworks in a wide open area away from anything that could catch fire
• Don’t give to small children to light
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy
• Keep pets inside
• Don’t try to relight dud fireworks
• Keep fireworks away from open flame (in closed box)
• Burns need water for 10 minutes

Turn down your hot water thermostat to 60 C

Get the hot water you need safely.

The best way to protect your family from household hot water scalds is to make sure your water comes out of the tap at a safe temperature. An adult should be able to hold their wrist under the running water.

If you think your hot water is too hot, you can make it safer in one of three ways:

Option 1.

• Install a tempering valve (generally considered the safest long-term option) As hot water leaves the hot water cylinder, a tempering valve mixes in cold water.
• This means hot water will reach all your hot water outlets at the safe temperature of 55C reducing the likelihood of scalding.
• Some homes with low water pressure and certain kinds of shower mixers may cost more.

Option 2.

• Turn down your hot water cylinder storage temperature.
• Turn your ‘consumer adjustable thermostat’ down to 60C.
• This will deliver water to the taps at around 55C ( a safe temperture)
• If a ‘consumer adjustable thermostat’ is not fitted, an electrician can fit one, however if cost are greater due to the type of system you have, consider the tempering valve option as this saves more heating expenses in the long run.

Option 3.

• Install temperature limiting taps and shower mixes (check to see if yours can be adjusted)
• Some single lever taps and shower mixers can limit the temperature of the hot water delivered.
• You will probably need a plumber to help set them correctly.

Other ways to protect your family:

Follow these simple hot water safety rules:

• When filling a bath, always run the cold water first, than add hot water to the safe temperature.
• Always test the bath water using the inside of your wrist before putting your child in.
• Always supervise young children in the bath, don’t leave them in the care of a slightly older child and if you need to answer the phone or door, take your child with you. Never leave a child alone in the bath.
• Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use. Make sure your child can’t get to the hot taps when you are not there.

First Aid for burns.

Place the burn under slowly running cold water (or other liquid) for at least 10 minutes.

Remember the rule:

Seconds to burn, 10 minutes to cool.

More and more people are using caravans and sleep outs as extra sleeping and living areas. The fire danger in these is much higher than in a home.

The following tips will help keep you safe.

For lighting, use proper lighting units or torches. DO NOT USE CANDLES, THEY ARE TOO DANGEROUS.

Used fixed heaters only, and make sure furniture and fittings are at least one meter from the heater. Fan heaters with a cut off switch are the safest.

Fit a smoke alarm and test once a week (use a photoelectric alarm). Velcro the alarm to the ceiling so it can be removed when cooking.

Identify and discuss with every one other ways of escaping - for instance out of windows - in case the door can’t be used in a fire. Practice your escape plan. Keep a clear path to the door and escape windows.

Make sure gas and electrical appliances are turned off before going to bed. Turn gas off at the cylinder. Check gas cylinder (if fitted) and hose fittings to ensure they have been correctly fitted, are tight and undamaged. If gas is not required, remove the cylinder to a safe location.

Discard cigarette butts into a metal container or ashtray. Never smoke in bed.

Never leave children alone in your caravan. Keep matches and lighters out of their reach.

Check electrical appliances for frayed cords and other damage. Caravans should also have a current warrant of fitness.

Have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket near the exit and make sure you know how to use it.

IN A FIRE:

GET EVERYONE OUT
DIAL 10177
ASK FOR THE FIRE SERVICE
GIVE THE ADDRESS AND LOCATION OF THE FIRE

Why do you need a smoke alarm?

More than half of all fire deaths occur in homes, mainly while people are sleeping.

You can’t rely on your senses to detect a fire while you are sleeping - but a smoke alarm gives that vital early warning.

Sound is the best way to wake a person from a deep sleep.

How do they work?

Smoke alarms detect smoke before you can even see or smell it.

The smoke particles break a circuit in the smoke detector which triggers a loud warning signal, and keeps sounding until the smoke clears.

Where should I put smoke alarms?

Smoke rises and moves along the ceiling, it will move up stairwells and vertical openings.

When it can’t rise anymore it will build up, working its way down again.

So it is important to place the smoke detectors on the ceiling to get the earliest warning. If you must position it on the wall put it 100mm away from the ceiling due to dead air pockets.

Fit a smoke alarm to every bedroom plus the lounge and hallways. If finance is limited the most important areas to cover are the hallways near the bedrooms (leave the doors open) then install in each bedroom as finance allows, as soon as possible.

Don’t put them in the kitchen, garage or bathrooms unless they are specially designed smoke alarms for those areas. Heat detectors are available for the kitchen

Does the smoke alarm require maintenance?

Yes, dust and spider webs can effect the alarm.

Clean with the vacuum cleaner once a month.

Test the alarm once a month by pushing the test button in.

Change the battery once a year (such as on New Years day day light saving or a family members birthday)

All smoke alarms will sound a short “beep” every so often indicating that the battery is going flat.

Will any smoke detector do?

The Fire Service recommends only those smoke detectors which have certification.

Check the packaging to make sure you are buying an alarm with a recommended standards symbol displayed.

What is available for people that are deaf or have hearing loss?

The are two types of models available. One has an extra loud alarm and the other has a strobe flashing light and sound.

Should I replace my smoke alarm?

Smoke alarms that are ten years old are near the end of their service life and should be replaced. A smoke alarm constantly monitors the air 24 hours a day. At the end of 10 years, it has gone through over 3.5 million monitoring cycles. After this much use, components may become less reliable. This means that as the detector gets older, the potential of failing to detect a fire increases. Replacing them after 10 years reduces this possibility.

My smoke alarms are wired into my electrical system (or Burglar Alarm). Do I still need to replace them every ten years?

Yes. Both types of alarms are affected by age.

Is there more than one type of smoke alarm and what is the difference?

One type is called and ionization alarm because it monitors the ‘ions’, or electrically charged particles. Smoke particles enter the sensig chamber change the electrical balance of the air. The alarms horn will sound when the change in the electrical balance reaches a certain level.

The other type is of alarm is called photo electric because its sensing chamber uses a beam of light and a light sensor.

Smoke particles entering the chamber change the amount of light that reaches the sensor. The alarm sounds when the smoke density reaches a preset level.

Note: BRANZ recommends photo-electric type smoke alarms in the living area and Ionization type smoke alarms in the hall and bedrooms.

Is one type better than the other?

The ionization alarm responds faster to small smoke particles, while the photoelectric responds faster to larger smoke particles. As a rule of the thumb, fast flaming fires produce smaller smoke particles and smoldering fires produce large particles. Thus the response time of the two alarms will vary, depending on the mixture of small and large particles from the fire. But test results show that the difference in response times are small enough that both types provide enough time to escape.

What is more important, the smoke alarm type or the number?

The number of detectors is more important than the type.

Installing several smoke detectors of each type will provide better coverage in the extreme case of long-term smoldering or fast flaming fires. But since both alarms respond in time to escape, the most important thing is to install enough alarms in the correct locations. Detectors are available with both types of sensors in the same unit, but if the choices are between having only one of each type or having more of the same type, more is the better choice.

My smoke alarm goes off when I cook, how can I stop this?

If a alarm regularly responds to smoke from cooking there are several options to handle this problem. One way is to replace the alarm with one that has a button to silence it for a few minutes.

Another way is to move the alarm further away, giving the smoke more time to dissipate.

If the detector is the ionization type, another option is to replace it with a photoelectric. This detector is less sensitive to the smaller particles so is less affected by cooking smoke or use a heat detector.

To stop an alarm sounding you need to clear the air in the sensor chamber. Fanning the alarm with a paper or tea towel is the best method and the alarm will stop automatically. Do not try and disable the alarm by removing the battery.

Call your local fire station for advice on where to install the smoke alarms, and assistance with installation for the elderly and people with disabilities.

In an emergency you’re in charge!

• Never leave the children alone: When they are alone they have accidents with matches, the stove, deep water, poisons and falls.
• Check that any matches or lighters are stored out of sight and above the stretch zone line: (an imaginary line around each room which is above the reach of the children)
• Heaters: move portable heaters away from play areas. Keep the heater away from curtains and furniture also.
• Safe objects: Trade sharp objects or electrical objects for something safe to play with.
• DON’T SMOKE: Baby-sitters have caused child deaths as a result of smoking. Also children often try to copy what others do. Refrain from smoking around children if possible.
• Cooking safety: Supervise children every moment in the kitchen. This is the place where most accidents happen.
• Wear tight sleeves: Loose sleeves can catch fire when cooking, especially over gas cooking stoves.
• Pan fire: Smother a pan fire by covering with a lid. Turn off power or gas to the stove. Never put water in a pan fire.
• Pot handles: Turn pot handles into the stove so children can’t pull them down.
• Dangling cords: Roll up electrical appliance cords so they can’t be pulled down.
• Burns: Put cold water on any burns. Call for medical help if skin is damaged

Fire Escape planning

• Plan ahead: know how to get children out of bedrooms if the front or back doors are blocked by smoke. Make sure you know in advance what all your escape options are.
• Smoke danger: smoke kills, shut doors to where the fire is if possible, to stop the smoke filling the house and blocking your escape route.
• Crawl in smoke: show the children by crawling in smoke they can get clearer air.
• Get outside: Make sure everyone is outside and don’t try to go back into the house.
• Call the Fire Service: (you may need to call from the house next door)
• Know the address of the house: Give the address as, street number and name, town, and the nearest side street if you know it.

Home Security

• Lock the doors: but be sure they can be easily opened in case of emergency.
• Don’t open the doors to anyone: The exception may be when your employer has personally told you that a caller is expected.
• Phone calls: Be brief and businesslike on the phone. Don’t encourage conversation if you don’t know who the caller is.
• Don’t tell the caller you are the sitter: Tell them you will take a message and say that Mr and Mrs……………. will be home shortly.
• Leave on exterior lighting.