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- November
Homeowners ignore the need for fire protection and planned action in case of fire | Anne Porter
Posted: 30th November -0001
Public buildings are required by law to have regular fire drills but the average homeowner remains casually unconscious of the need to have fire protection in his home and clear evacuation procedures if a fire breaks out, says Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Knight Frank.
“The perception is that fires in residential property happen to “other people, not to me” – the other people usually being very old, careless, or in drastically overcrowded squatter camps and not suburbia. However, when one reads that the central Cape Town fire department is called out regularly year round, one has to accept that fires are far more common than most people realise.”
Steward said that 376 South Africans died in the 40 000 plus fires that occurred in SA in one year recently and 9 740 fires were in private homes in that period.
“The chances of having a fire are one in 1 200 – a fairly high rate,” said Steward.
On inspecting homes that come to APKF for sale, said Steward, it sometimes becomes clear that escaping from them in a serious fire would not be easy.
“The main reason for this can be burglar bars. What prevents the intruder from getting in can also prevent the occupant from getting out. Also, the growing practice of locking off children’s rooms or the entire upper storey can lead to problems – especially if the key goes missing.”
For further information contact Lanice Steward on 021 671 9120 or email lanice@anneporter.co.za.
“The perception is that fires in residential property happen to “other people, not to me” – the other people usually being very old, careless, or in drastically overcrowded squatter camps and not suburbia. However, when one reads that the central Cape Town fire department is called out regularly year round, one has to accept that fires are far more common than most people realise.”
Steward said that 376 South Africans died in the 40 000 plus fires that occurred in SA in one year recently and 9 740 fires were in private homes in that period.
“The chances of having a fire are one in 1 200 – a fairly high rate,” said Steward.
On inspecting homes that come to APKF for sale, said Steward, it sometimes becomes clear that escaping from them in a serious fire would not be easy.
“The main reason for this can be burglar bars. What prevents the intruder from getting in can also prevent the occupant from getting out. Also, the growing practice of locking off children’s rooms or the entire upper storey can lead to problems – especially if the key goes missing.”
The best means of getting through a raging fire, said Steward, is to cover yourself – and your children – in wet towels. These should be wrapped around the face, head and hands. If this is done they will give the required one to two minutes protection from the flames.
For further information contact Lanice Steward on 021 671 9120 or email lanice@anneporter.co.za.
Posted by: Anne Porter Knight Frank
