Page 33 - Fourways Gardens June 2021

Lifestyle

Always make sure that your appliances the site of the fire and store them in with water, although you can also use a
are unplugged when you’re not using a cool place, well away from where Class A fire extinguisher if you have one.
them – this also helps to save on the fire took place – and DO NOT USE
electricity if your appliances have WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE The most important response to a fire
always-on stand-by modes. FIRE. If you suspect any possibility that incident is – if you cannot control and
2. A grease or cooking oil fire. If this fire there has been a gas leak, DO NOT completely extinguish the fire – leave the
is in a pan on a stove top, cover the pan attempt to light the gas appliance. Try building immediately and call your local
with a metal lid to seal off the oxygen. to shut off the gas supply and, if it’s a fire rescue service.
Turn off the heat source. AGAIN, YOU gas cylinder, take it outdoors well away
SHOULD NEVER TRY TO EXTINGUISH from any structures. Remember that Sources:
https://fireopssa.co.za
THIS TYPE OF FIRE WITH WATER – LPG gas is heavier than air, so do make www.firesafe.co.za/2019/04/17/which-fire-extinguisher
www.afrox-gas.co.za
WATER WILL JUST MAKE THE SITUATION sure toddlers and babies are lifted off
A LOT WORSE. If outdoors, you can the floor and open all windows for Whilst every effort has been made to
throw sand on the fire to starve it of ventilation. ensure the accuracy of this information,
oxygen. A Class B fire extinguisher is 6. Wood, paper, most fabrics and some readers should seek professional advice
best suited for dealing with this type of plastics. These are classified as Class A when sourcing firefighting equipment or
fire, or you can use salt or bicarbonate fires and they actually can be put out employing fire prevention methods.
of soda (baking soda) – which is not
stored above the stove!!
3. A petrol, paint, solvent or paraffin fire.
As with a grease or cooking oil fire, you
should use a Class B fire extinguisher
and NEVER TRY TO EXTINGUISH THIS
TYPE OF FIRE WITH WATER.
4. Combustible metals such as titanium,
magnesium, lithium and aluminium.
Although it normally takes a lot of
heat before these metals will ignite,
once they are burning, this type of
fire is incredibly dangerous. This is
categorised as a Class D fire and the
advice is to only use a fire extinguisher
suited to Class D fires to extinguish this
type of fire. Yet again, the advice is to
REFRAIN FROM USING WATER.
5. LPG gas fire. If possible, cut off the gas
supply. Carefully smother the fire – it
is important to completely extinguish
the fire to prevent the possibility of a
‘flash back’. Remove all cylinders from

Fourways Gardens • 31 • June 2021