Have peace of mind this festive season knowing you’ve taken simple, practical steps to reduce the risk of house fires, whether at home or in your Airbnb.
Did you know?
The City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) attends to around
250,000 calls per year (fire and medical) but currently operates with only around half of
its fire–engine trucks in working order. During festive periods, Gauteng EMS sees high
call levels. From 31 Dec to 1 Jan 2024, EMS recorded
1,914 emergency calls in one festive season. With only
15 fire trucks servicing over 15 million people, preventative safety measures
have never been more critical.
Electrical & Lighting
Check for damaged wiring and replace broken bulbs before hanging Christmas lights.
Remove any heat sources near your Christmas tree.
Unplug your Christmas tree lights when you’re not home or overnight.
DO NOT overload extension leads, especially with Christmas lights.
Secure & test backup power and ensure ventilation, as inverters, generators & UPS can overheat.
Unplug non-essential appliances when leaving the house.
Switch off your DB board while away (only if no essential appliances need power).
Use surge protectors for fridges, TVs, laptops, and other sensitive equipment, especially with load shedding.
Switch off the DB board during load shedding if no appliances need power.
Kitchen & Cooking
Keep oven gloves, aprons, and dish cloths away from stove tops.
Ensure stoves and ovens are cleaned after use as grease fuels fires.
Do not leave the kitchen while cooking.
Switch off appliances at the wall if not in use, e.g. the oven.
Candles & Open Flames
Check your gas braai & portable gas cylinders for cracked hoses and store cylinders upright and outdoors.
Keep candles away from curtains, décor, and flammable materials.
Blow out candles when no longer needed and never leave them unattended.
Place cigarette ash and braai coals in a metal container only once completely cooled.
Fire Equipment
Ensure you have the right extinguishers for electrical and combustible fires (DCP or CO₂).
If you already have extinguishers at home, ensure they are serviced annually and in the green.
Other Useful Tips
If travelling, ask a neighbour/security to check exterior of your home. Break-ins often lead to vandalism fires. A quick visual check every few days can save your property
Clear gutters and remove dry leaves around the house. December heat + dry vegetation = perfect ignition material for embers or discarded cigarettes.
Take photos of the condition of your home before leaving. This helps with insurance disputes, especially after storm damage, load-shedding failures or fire incidents.
If it is within your means, ensure your home is equipped with a DCP fire extinguisher, CO2 or both. Since knowing how to use them is just as important as owning one, please visit Elite Fire Protection’s website for the Complete Guide to Fire Extinguishers.
Karen Nieuwoudt, Compliance Director at Elite Fire Protection, leveraged her medical affairs background and her relationship with marketing managers to establish and bridge the gap in marketing for the company. Her blend of skills and collaborative leadership have helped her raise the bar in the fire protection industry. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
