BECAUSE fires are associated with heating and cooking, there is a big risk of shack fires in winter. A recent fire in Alexandra destroyed over 100 shacks.
Joburg Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said incidents often occur because people are careless.
He said: “We focus on door-to-door campaigns at squatter camps to reduce the risk of deaths caused by shack fires.”
Mulaudzi told Daily Sun the city has revived the Jozi Safety Kit drive.
“This ?is to teach people to use other heat energy sources without causing shack fires.”
One thousand households will receive the safety kit next month and in July.
It has a parasafe stove that switches off when it is moved too quickly, a smoke detector, burn kit, lantern light and a 25 litre bucket.
Mulaudzi gave SunReaders these safety tips to prevent shack fires:
- Don’t leave pots unattended on stoves
- Store matches and lighters high up, out of reach of young kids
- Never overload electrical wall sockets, as this could cause electrical fires.
