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Fire and Flood Awareness Campaign

fire

What to do when there is a fire

  • Get out of the house and stay out.
  • Crawl on your hands and knees under the smoke.
  • Don't try to gather photo albums or passports – rather get out.
  • Once outside, never try to go back into the house to fetch a pet or anything else.

What to do if your clothes catch on fire

  • Stop. Never run.
  • Drop and then cover your face with your hands.
  • Roll to put out the flames
  • If someone is burnt, gently pour cold water onto the burn. If the burn is over a large area keep the person warm as they can go into shock.
  • Get medical attention for any type of burn.
drop and roll

How to use paraffin safely

 

  • Keep paraffin and matches in areas that children cannot reach.
  • Store paraffin in a glass bottle -never use milk cartons or cool drink bottles.
  • Turn appliances off and put out all flames when you leave home or go to sleep.
  • Use sand to extinguish paraffin fires, not water! Keep a bucket of sand nearby.

  • If a child swallows paraffin, don't give them anything to eat or drink. Never force them to vomit. Take the child to the doctor immediately.

    paraffin-lamp
  • Plan ahead
  • Have a fire safety plan and make sure that everyone knows how to evacuate the home during a fire.
  • Know your emergency numbers: 10177 from a landline and 112 from a cellphone

What is a flood? 

flooding

Here are some important flood tips to help you and your family:

  • Get to know your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes and locations of emergency shelters.
  • During severe storms, listen to your local radio or TV stations. Stay up-to-date on possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.
  • Be prepared to evacuate quickly. Have all your essential items gathered in advance.
  • Head for higher ground. If you are outside or in your home and a flood takes place, you should always look for higher ground.
  • Avoid flood waters. If you are driving and come upon a flooded road, turn around and drive the other way.
  • Be careful in the dark. Evacuating in the evening is very dangerous as flood hazards may be hard to see.
  • Be aware of electricity and animals in flood water when cleaning up after a flood.

Calling for help

  • From a cellphone call 112 
  • From a landline call 10177
  • When you phone, give the full address and a landmark such as a shop or school close to the flood or fire to help emergency service providers to find you quickly.