Fire Extinguishers: A Small Investment That Could Save Your Home
Living in Betty’s Bay means being surrounded by incredible natural beauty, but it also means living with the reality of fire. During the warmer months, when the vegetation is dry and the south-easter is blowing, it doesn’t take much for a small fire to become a serious threat.
While a portable fire extinguisher won’t stop a runaway veld fire, it can make all the difference in those first few moments when a small fire starts inside or around your home. A quick response can often prevent a minor incident from turning into a major emergency.
Many household fires begin with something simple. An electrical fault, an unattended pot on the stove, a braai that flares up unexpectedly, or an overloaded plug can all ignite before you know it. Having a fire extinguisher close at hand gives you a chance to deal with the fire safely while it is still small.
For most homes, a 2.5 kg or 4.5 kg Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguisher is a good all-round choice. It can be used on ordinary combustible materials such as wood and paper, as well as electrical fires, flammable liquids and gas fires. Many home-owners choose to keep one in the kitchen, another in the garage or workshop, and, if the house is larger, one near the main exit.
It’s also worth keeping a fire blanket in the kitchen. If a pan of oil catches alight, a fire blanket is often the safest way to smother the flames. Never throw water onto a cooking oil fire, as this can cause the flames to spread violently.
Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is just as important as owning one. Remember the word PASS: Pull the safety pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle and Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Most importantly, always keep an exit behind you. If the fire grows or you feel unsafe at any point, leave immediately.
Like any piece of safety equipment, a fire extinguisher needs regular attention. Check that the pressure gauge is in the green zone, make sure the safety pin is still in place and have the extinguisher serviced every year by a qualified technician. An extinguisher hidden behind boxes in the garage or one that has lost pressure won’t be much help in an emergency.
It’s also important to recognise when a fire is beyond what you can safely tackle. If the fire is spreading quickly, producing heavy smoke or blocking your escape route, don’t try to fight it. Get everyone out, close doors behind you if you can, and call for help. Property can be replaced. People cannot.
In a community like Betty’s Bay, where we all live so close to the natural environment and to one another, being prepared benefits everyone. A serviced fire extinguisher may seem like a small investment, but it could save your home, protect your neighbours and give emergency crews the time they need to respond.
As we head into another fire season, take a few minutes to check that your extinguisher is where it should be and that everyone in your household knows how to use it. It’s a simple step that could make all the difference.
A Quick Update from the Team
Behind the scenes, we have also been making sure that we are ready when needed. Fire hydrants in the area have been checked to make sure everything is in working order and that they are accessible when required.
Our fitness training is also underway again, along with regular general training sessions. Keeping fit, practising our skills and staying familiar with our equipment are all part of making sure the team is prepared to respond when the call comes in.
Report fire and emergencies immediately.
Always phone – no WhatsApp messages AND no WhatsApp calls
YOUR IMPORTANT NUMBERS – load them into your phone NOW!
028 312 2400 ALL Fire & Emergency – yes you can use this number to report a fire, an accident, or ANY emergency.
028 313 8980 Fire reporting
072 616 8418 Betty’s Bay Fire Volunteers – NO WhatsApp (calls or messages) ONLY standard calls
SUPPORT THE VOLUNTEERS: If you would like to join our team or support us in any way, please contact Jorika on 072 616 8418.
Should you wish to contribute funds or donations towards a fire & rescue emergency response vehicle you can deposit into the following bank account:
Bank details:
- Name: Betty’s Bay Ratepayers Association
- Bank: ABSA
- Bank: Hermanus
- Account: 4066 616 439
- Reference: FIRE +Your surname
N.B Please clearly mark the reference FIRE as BBRA are custodians for several organizations in Betty’s Bay and they need to allocate the funds accordingly.
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Thank you for your ongoing support and donations.
Until our next update, keep warm and stay Fire Wise!
Jorika Rabie