Handling a fire outbreak in your home
Mar 24, 2006
Fire outbreak in a house in Kiswa near Kampala, last Sunday left over 10 residents homeless and property destroyed.
By Stephen Ssenkaaba
Fire outbreak in a house in Kiswa near Kampala, last Sunday left over 10 residents homeless and property destroyed. The cause of the fire is said to have been a candle that had been left burning on the table in one of the rooms.
Such incidences not only show our homes’ susceptibility to fire outbreaks, they also indicate how unprepared many of us are unprepared for such catastrophic incidences.
According to statistics from the Uganda Police Fire brigade, out of 137 fires attended to since January this year, 64 were household based. Most fires were caused by electrical short-circuits, unsafe cooking practices, naked candle flames and careless rubbish burning among other causes.
Joseph Mugisa, the chief fire officer, attributes many of these cases to overcrowding dwellings and the rampant use of old electrical appliances especially in low income households.
Due to limited space in many such homes, all activities, including cooking are carried out within a limited space, thus heightening the potential for a fire outbreak," he says.
According to Mark. R. Karanja, the marketing manager, Safety Systems Ltd, a fire safety company in Industrial Area, there is a general lack of fire safety measures in our homes today.
He says most fire outbreaks in homes are caused by unattended fires, poorly installed electrical wires as well as overloading of electric gadgets.
The best way to guard against a fire outbreak is through application of fire extinguishers, heat and fire detectors, but in cases where people may not afford these, it is advisable to observe various safety measures.
But Joseph Mugisa, the chief fire officer, says candles should be completely done away with.
“Candles today are one of the major causes of fires in homes. They should not be used at all. Instead people should use lanterns,†he says.
Mugisa notes that generators should be started outside and not inside the house as they could easily start a fire and that any lighting should be started by an adult.
In case of a fire the Police fire brigade gives the following tips:
lWhen you notice a fire, stop, think and act
lQuickly and calmly wake up the rest of the family
l Leave the house together through the nearest exit
lWhen you leave, close the door behind you to avoid smoke
l Call 999 landline and 112 mobile to alert police. Other numbers are 042 1222,041-342222,041342223.
lDo not go back to the house until the fire is completely put out
If the above tips are observed, fire outbreaks can be minimised. But the safest way to guard against fire, would be to keep a fire extinguisher in your home.
Fire extinguishers are perhaps the most affordable and user-friendly gadgets. They are readily available on the market and quite easy to maintain.
For homes, the carbon- dioxide, water or form fire extinguishers are highly recommended.
“This is because they are safe. They do not release dangerous chemicals, they are effective, affordable and easy to maintain,†says Karanja.
At Safety Systems Ltd, on Plot 15/17 First street Industrial Area these extinguishers can be obtained at sh 150,000 for the 2.5 kilo carbon-dioxide gas extinguisher and sh 185,000 for the five kilo one. The water extinguisher costs sh135,000, while the foam extinguisher is at sh140,000. These extinguishers can be refilled at sh30,000.
Extinguishers are also available at Fire Masters in Industrial Area, Atlas Fire protectors on Luwum Street and Booth Fire services in Old Kampala.
among others.
While it might be difficult to detect a fire before it breaks out, the damage of fire outbreak can be minimised if people acted fast. You could detect a fire outbreak through heat and fire detectors as well and glass breakers. These are however expensive ranging form sh1m and above.
Fire safety is a necessary skill. We all need it.
Ends
Fire outbreak in a house in Kiswa near Kampala, last Sunday left over 10 residents homeless and property destroyed. The cause of the fire is said to have been a candle that had been left burning on the table in one of the rooms.
Such incidences not only show our homes’ susceptibility to fire outbreaks, they also indicate how unprepared many of us are unprepared for such catastrophic incidences.
According to statistics from the Uganda Police Fire brigade, out of 137 fires attended to since January this year, 64 were household based. Most fires were caused by electrical short-circuits, unsafe cooking practices, naked candle flames and careless rubbish burning among other causes.
Joseph Mugisa, the chief fire officer, attributes many of these cases to overcrowding dwellings and the rampant use of old electrical appliances especially in low income households.
Due to limited space in many such homes, all activities, including cooking are carried out within a limited space, thus heightening the potential for a fire outbreak," he says.
According to Mark. R. Karanja, the marketing manager, Safety Systems Ltd, a fire safety company in Industrial Area, there is a general lack of fire safety measures in our homes today.
He says most fire outbreaks in homes are caused by unattended fires, poorly installed electrical wires as well as overloading of electric gadgets.
The best way to guard against a fire outbreak is through application of fire extinguishers, heat and fire detectors, but in cases where people may not afford these, it is advisable to observe various safety measures.
But Joseph Mugisa, the chief fire officer, says candles should be completely done away with.
“Candles today are one of the major causes of fires in homes. They should not be used at all. Instead people should use lanterns,†he says.
Mugisa notes that generators should be started outside and not inside the house as they could easily start a fire and that any lighting should be started by an adult.
In case of a fire the Police fire brigade gives the following tips:
lWhen you notice a fire, stop, think and act
lQuickly and calmly wake up the rest of the family
l Leave the house together through the nearest exit
lWhen you leave, close the door behind you to avoid smoke
l Call 999 landline and 112 mobile to alert police. Other numbers are 042 1222,041-342222,041342223.
lDo not go back to the house until the fire is completely put out
If the above tips are observed, fire outbreaks can be minimised. But the safest way to guard against fire, would be to keep a fire extinguisher in your home.
Fire extinguishers are perhaps the most affordable and user-friendly gadgets. They are readily available on the market and quite easy to maintain.
For homes, the carbon- dioxide, water or form fire extinguishers are highly recommended.
“This is because they are safe. They do not release dangerous chemicals, they are effective, affordable and easy to maintain,†says Karanja.
At Safety Systems Ltd, on Plot 15/17 First street Industrial Area these extinguishers can be obtained at sh 150,000 for the 2.5 kilo carbon-dioxide gas extinguisher and sh 185,000 for the five kilo one. The water extinguisher costs sh135,000, while the foam extinguisher is at sh140,000. These extinguishers can be refilled at sh30,000.
Extinguishers are also available at Fire Masters in Industrial Area, Atlas Fire protectors on Luwum Street and Booth Fire services in Old Kampala.
among others.
While it might be difficult to detect a fire before it breaks out, the damage of fire outbreak can be minimised if people acted fast. You could detect a fire outbreak through heat and fire detectors as well and glass breakers. These are however expensive ranging form sh1m and above.
Fire safety is a necessary skill. We all need it.
Ends