Fire Safety

Coverage of the devastating loss of life and property that can result from fires should bring home to all householders the need to take preventative measures.

Fire is an ever present threat even in a modern house fully equipped with smoke de tectors says Dr Piet Botha chairman of the Nationlink estate agency group. The current drought conditions in many parts of the country also raise the likelihood of veld and forest fires that can easily spark off home fires.

Recent fire statistics from the US however show an alarming degree of complacen cy among homeowners and I m sure figures in this country would show a similar neglect of basic precautions he says.

For example the US figures show that while 40 of fire hit houses had no smoke alarm most of those with detectors derived no benefit as 56 of the systems had no battery and 17 had dead batteries.

Smoke detectors are comparatively cheap and are be coming more commonplace in SA as many security companies now offer them with their burglar alarm systems. But they are no use without regular cleaning and a monthly check to see that they are activated says Botha.

Homeowners should also note that the insurance cover age for their homes and the comtents in the event of fire may be invalidated unless they have taken other steps to eliminate hazards and limit fire damage.