The City of Cape Town’s (COCT) Disaster Risk Management and the Human Settlements Directorate teams are urging residents in informal settlements and in its Community Residential Units (CRU) to be extra vigilant over the summer fire season.
According to the COCT, summer fire season comes with heat and strong winds, which holds great risks for fires occurring and spreading rapidly, especially in densely populated informal settlements where there are often no firebreaks or access ways for emergency services.
“We are encouraging residents to protect themselves and their neighbours by observing basic fire prevention strategies, such as keeping a watch over open flames, keeping a bucket of sand at hand as a first defence should a candle fall over and mounting a candle in a can with sand to enhance safety.
“Residents who will be away for an extended period during the holidays should please inform the City’s Informal Settlement Management Department of their travels, and update their contact details with us so that the City has their information on record,” the COCT said.
Last year, the City launched its R150 million CRU repair initiative with the National Housing Finance Corporation which is primarily focusing on the repairs to fire-damaged units across the metro.
Also read: Devastating Paarl fire leaves 400 residents of informal settlement homeless
The COCT’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith said residents who should find themselves in a predicament like this should contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre immediately by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cell phone.
“Residents must make sure they give the correct address and if possible, a landmark nearby, like a shop or school. Residents should not wait for too long before reporting fires as they can spread very quickly – sometimes in mere minutes depending on the conditions, especially in Council flats and in informal settlements,” Smith said.
Smith further mentioned that the COCT’s Disaster Risk Management teams are active on the ground and will continue to spread awareness about fire prevention and help to educate residents about the ways they can enhance safety.
“Reducing the risks of fires is a task that can only be achieved when we all work together,” Smith explained.
Read more:
22 new firefighters added just in time as the fire season approaches
Picture: Cape {town} Etc gallery