Prepare for the summer fire season

~ Courtesy Santam

Residents are urged to play their part to mitigate risks amid increasing global patterns of destructive wildfires.

Wildfires are common in South Africa and have significant social, economic and environmental impacts. We advise homeowners, especially those in wildland-urban interface areas with their proximity to flammable vegetation, to play their part to mitigate risks amid increasing global patterns of destructive wildfires.

Fire season is a real and present risk at this time of year and residents need to be alert to the dangers fires can pose to properties and possessions. Homeowners should check their insurance policies annually and ensure their household contents and homeowner’s sum insured (the sum that the property or building is insured for) are in line with the current replacement value of their household goods. Policyholders should also ensure the value of their buildings is adequately insured.

We recommend the following fire safety tips:

• Avoid the build-up of materials that can act as fuel for a fire. For example, recycling stations with cardboard boxes, papers and plastic containers should be kept away from dwellings and emptied on a regular basis.
• Smoke-detector alarms installed within sections of a property are good additions and can serve as early warning systems.
• Knowing where the fire hydrants are located within and outside of the property can assist the local fire team with speedy connection of the water hoses.
• Having an evacuation plan, including exit points, is essential, as is having an emergency firebox of documents should you live in a fire-prone area.
• Always extinguish fires and safely dispose of hot ash, coal and cigarettes.
• Always work in an open, cleared area when working with power tools.
• Ensure all your electrical appliances are correctly wired.
• Keep the area around your home clear of flammable materials.
• Only burn rubbish on cooler days with little or no wind, provided you have a burning permit.
• Never leave an open fire unattended.
• Only use fireworks far from areas prone to fire and animals. Avoid using Chinese lanterns.
• Register with the Fire Protection Association for enhanced security if they are active in your area – failure to do so may result in a court of law automatically assuming that you are guilty of negligence in the event of a liability lawsuit.

If you would like more information, speak to one of our knowledgeable brokers today. Simply email us at info@dwdv.insure or call us on 014 592-1077.