Fire prevention tips

Prevention of fire starts by paying more attention to potential fire hazards. Insurance
is not the only way to deal with risks. Prevention can easily reduce the chance of fire
and damage. Do you have a smoke detector or fire extinguisher in your home? That is
a first step in the right direction. With a few simple steps, you can save yourself a lot
of trouble.

• Create an escape route in case of fire;

• Do not put candles near flammable materials such as curtains or mosquito nets and
use inflammable candle holders.

• Never put candles where they can easily be knocked over: on the floor, low tables,
or within reach of children and pets;

• Never leave a burning candle unattended and always put candles out before leaving
a room.

• Keep matches and lighters out of reach from children;

• Never walk away while cooking;

• If the pan catches fire, put a lid on the pan and turn off the gas.
Never use water or walk with the pan.

• Never smoke in bed or on the couch.

• Never leave a hot iron unattended.

• Should a fuse blow, fix the cause or get help from an expert.

• Ventilate well when using volatile cleaning products, glue or solutions and do not
smoke while handling these products.

• Place smoke detectors in one or more relevant places, such as the bedroom area,
top of the stairwell and in the room adjacent to the kitchen.

• Get firefighting material such as a foam extinguisher with pulverized water and
a fire blanket;

• Ensure that the house is easily accessible for the fire brigade and acquaint yourself
with the location of the nearest taps;

• Be careful when using flammables, fire and electrical appliances;

• Never use damaged cabling and take care not to overuse multiple sockets;

• Television sets produce heat when on, ensure that there is sufficient ventilation
around the television set and do not place books, vases or other ornaments on top.

How to make an escape plan
• Determine the quickest and safest escape route. Smoke always rises, so always
move downwards while escaping. If possible, move to the street side, this will make
it easier for paramedics or fire fighters to see and reach you.

• Determine a second escape route in case the first one is blocked.

• Agree on a central point where you and others meet up after escaping. This helps
determine if anyone is still inside.

• Choose a shelter room in case the second escape route is also blocked. Preferably a
room on the street side or a balcony, so fire fighters can reach you. Never jump from
high altitudes but wait for help.

• Agree beforehand who will be responsible for which child, elderly person or pet in
case of a fire.

• Agree beforehand on a central place to keep your house keys.

• When escaping, close all doors behind you.


What to do in case of fire
• Call 911 (police and fire department) and report accurately the location of the
emergency, the kind of assistance required and whether there are people hurt and/
or in danger.

• While waiting for help:

• Clear all areas;

• Close doors and windows where possible.

• Switch off the gas supply if possible;

• Once out, never re-enter a burning house.

• If people are hurt:

• Do not move them unless absolutely necessary;

• Remove tight clothing and clear the airways;

• In case of burns, cool them before doing anything else (preferably with lukewarm,
running tap water)!

• In case of a fire in a deep frying pan, turn of electricity or gas and place a damp
towel (or a mop) on the pan. Never put out a fire with water and do not move the
deep frying pan.

• In the event that your television set catches fire, pull the plug and poor water over
the television set.

• In case of a fault in an electrical appliance: cut off the electricity first.

• Never put out the flame that can appear in a gas leak, but shut down the gas supply
and the flame will go out by itself (if the flame goes out and the supply has not been
cut off, gas will keep leaking out causing danger of explosion!)

• Lie down and roll on the floor if your clothes catch fire.