… Ahead of the winter season
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Proactive!
This is the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), which has embarked on a fire prevention campaign, warning emaSwati on fire breakouts.
The NDMA Communication Manager, Wandile Mavuso, commenting on the fire prevention campaign, said the winter season was upon them where fires were rife.
“It is therefore imperative to raise awareness and also educate the people of Eswatini about the dangers, safety precaution measures as well as prevention of fires. Fires have proven to be a very common disaster in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“Effects of fires have been felt by all emaSwati, whether directly or indirectly. Household, wild and forest fires are increasing significantly yearly destroying natural vegetation and leaving several families destitute. Lives have been lost, and a number of people have lost everything due to fires,” said Mavuso.
The Communication Manager explained the types of fires, saying there are wild/veld fires which were the burning of grass lands
“Household fires are fires that occur at household level and forest fires are the burning of forests.”
PREVENTION OF FIRES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL
- Keep The Debris Down: During the dry season, it is a common occurrence to burn vegetation overgrowth. Dry vegetation also provides a conducive condition for wild fires, particularly during winter season for man-made disasters such as wild fires. Most of these fires that end up spiralling out of control are caused by such practices.Keeping debris away from the outside of your home is also important. If a fire breaks out and finds that there are dry plants, chances are that it will spread even faster as it will be forced by the winds. Winds provide additional oxygen to the fire, making it more intense and helping to spread the fire by convection and by carrying burning embers.
- Keep matches AWAY from children: Matches and lighters can be deadly in a child’s hands. Keep all matches and lighters out of reach from children, in a high cabinet, preferably a locked one.
- Candles: Are very dangerous and need to be taken into account. Do not place them on tables, buy the candle stand or rather get a container, fill it up with sand and place the candle in the middle. Candles should always be put out before going to bed.
- Put Out the Fire: If you have a fireplace, it’s important to make sure that you put out the fire well before you’re going to leave the area. Use water to extinguish the fire completely. Do not leave the fire-place unattended.
- Turn off Heated Appliances When You Leave the House: Space heaters, irons and heated blankets are all things that you definitely don’t want to leave running when you’re not home because they could easily catch fire.
- Dispose ash in Ash-pit: Improper disposal of Ash is another cause of a fire breakout, especially after burning rubbish in a pit. AT ALL TIMES, ash must be completely extinguished and disposed in an ash-pit.
- Do not use heaters for drying clothes: Heaters should never be used to dry wet clothes and should never be left unattended. If you are done using the heater, it should be switched off at all times. Also avoid being in close proximity with the heater, especially if you have covered yourself with a blanket.
PREVENTION OF GRASS/WILD FIRES
- Do not throw cigarette stubs out of a moving car: Do not throw away lit cigarette stubs out of a moving car. During dry and windy conditions, wild fires can start by carelessly throwing out cigarettes. Motorists are urged to utilize ashtrays that are available in their vehicles.
- Kubabela – Controlled Burning: Always seek a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture before doing it. Never do it when it is windy or when temperatures are too high; always ensure that there are people who will assist you should the fire get out of control; always notify Fire and Emergency Personnel so that they can assist you if the fire gets out of hand.
- Honey harvesting (Kukhokhela tinyosi): Should be done in a manner that preserves natural resources for future generations. If you have identified bees at Montigny forests, simply call toll-free number 3344 for them to harvest bees for you. If you see honey bees in Peak Timbers, call 1313, they will harvest them for you. This is done in order to try and minimize people who harvest bees and the fire ends up being uncontrollable.
