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HOUSE FIRES ARE YOU PREPARED?

The destruction caused by a house fire is devastating. In less than four minutes, the heatfrom a house fire can reach over 590 degrees Celsius.

According to Telesure MD, Thomas Creamer: The temperature can reach almost 150

degrees in rooms that are not even on fire and the smoke from a house fire can be sothick that your house would be completely dark in four minutes, even with all the lightson. What makes this matter particularly tragic is that most house fires are started byaccident and could have been prevented.There are several leading causes of house fires. These include:

Electrical fires caused by devices such as heating units or faults in wiring orappliances

Burning cigarettes

Children playing with matches or lighters

Wind-borne burning debris from a nearby veld fire

Thomas Creamer says that the following tips can help prevent a house fire:

It is said that two out of three people who die in house fires were asleep whenthe fire began. Smoke alarms substantially decrease the chances of beingcaught in a house fire. Although these are not legislated in South Africa, it is avery good idea to install them, particularly if you have children.

To ensure peace of mind, have your electrical installation inspected by a certifiedelectrician just before the start of winter. Check that your household applianceshave a label of a testing laboratory, indicating that it meets basic safetyrequirements.

Dont overload plug sockets and avoid using several high-amperage appliances(any appliance that produces heat) on the same circuit. Dust, cobwebs andspider webs are enough to start a fire in an electrical system.

Try not to leave an electric or gas fire burning when you leave a room for aprolonged period of time. Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children andmake certain that any cigarettes in ashtrays are extinguished before you go tobed.

Keep gutters free of leaves and grass as these can be easily ignited by emberscarried on the wind. Store any fire wood or dry compost material well away fromyour house. If you live on the edge of a suburb, close to an open field and naturalvegetation, clear away any dry woody plants from around your property'sboundaries.

If you woke up to the smell of smoke, would you know what to do? Here are tips to followin case your house, or something in it, catches on fire:

If a fire starts while you are cooking, put a lid over the burning pan or use a fireextinguisher. Never throw water on a burning fat or oil fire as it will cause anexplosive reaction.

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If a fire breaks out and you are trapped in a smoke-filled room, make your way tothe door by crawling below the smoke. The purest air is closest to the floor.

If you crawl to your door and the door knob is warm, do not open it. Use analternative exit like a window.

Don't stop to gather possessions, or call the fire brigade, you have to get yourself

and your family out of the house immediately. Once you are safely out of thehouse, then you can call the fire department.

It is important to remember that posessions can be replaced but lives can not. Protectyourself and your family by planning an exit strategy in advance. Make sure everyone inyour house is aware of this plan by having a practice drill every six months or so. It isalso important to keep a fire extinguisher in a central, easily-located place, or one inevery room. These preventative measures could be the difference between life anddeath, concludes Creamer.