TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRES
Household fire hazards
Reduce your risk of fire by removing items
that could act as fuel and other hazards
from your home and yard.
zz
Keep appliances such as stoves, dryers,
heaters, air conditioners and fans clean
and well maintained.
zz
Avoid buying clothes and furniture made
from flammable fabrics. Thin, lightweight
fabrics, sleepwear, loose-fitting garments
and any items that are fuzzy are quick to
ignite.
zz
Remove dead trees and undergrowth
from around your house, roof and
overhead power lines, and clean your
gutters, roof and downpipes.
zz
Clean chimneys regularly to keep them
free of soot, debris and nests.
Keep hoses attached
to taps or rolled neatly
alongside.
Chemicals and flammable
substances
Chemicals found in the home can be toxic,
flammable or react violently when mixed.
Unsafe storage practices are one of the
main causes of accident and injury.
zz
Pool chemicals can cause fire, explosions
and toxic gases if they come in contact
with other household chemicals or water.
Store them in the correct container, in a
locked, dry, clean, well-ventilated place,
away from other household chemicals.
zz
Store petrol, paint, kerosene and other
flammable substances in approved
vapour-tight containers, away from the
house and out of the reach of children.
Keep them out of direct sunlight and
away from all sources of ignition.
zz
Keep your home and yard clear of paper,
rubbish and oil rags (rags that have been
used for drying oil or oil-based paints may
self-heat and spontaneously ignite). Store
in sealed, non-combustible containers or
dispose of safely.
Gas cylinders
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is an excellent
fuel for heating, cooking and automotive
use. However, if stored or used incorrectly,
LPG can be very dangerous.
zz
Cylinders used for household purposes
should never be filled with automotive
LPG (Autogas).
zz
Never use LPG cylinders indoors, in a
confined space or near heat and flame.
zz
Store cylinders upright, outside, in a
well-ventilated area. Pressure relief valves
should face away from dwellings and
combustible materials where possible.
zz
Do not store or use petrol, flammable
liquids or aerosols near LPG cylinders.
zz
Always carry cylinders in an upright
position. Don’t carry more than two
cylinders in the car (they should not
exceed nine kilograms in total weight).
Cylinders should be placed in the boot
and not left for extended periods.
zz
Do not attempt to re-fill dented or
corroded cylinders. They must be
returned to a test station and re-certified.
zz
Cylinders must be re-tested and stamped
every 10 years.
04
