P Uys on fire and flood safety messages

26 March 2009

“Government plays an important role in equipping communities with the
knowledge needed to prevent fires and to take proper action to protect
themselves and their belongings during the flooding season. When it comes to
communicating this knowledge, we have found the youth to be very effective in
relaying the safety messages to their parents and the larger community,” says
Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning,
Pierre Uys

Uys was speaking at a ceremony at the Ikhaya Primary School in Kayamandi,
Stellenbosch, winner of his departments' annual fire and flood awareness art
competition. The competition, currently in its pilot phase was rolled out by
Uys last year in primary schools in the 11 high risk fire and flood areas
identified by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre. It is part of a
programme to enhance risk reduction and coping skills among residents. The 11
areas are Masiphumelele, Phola Park, Doornbach, Wallacedene, Khayelitsha,
Witsand, Kayamandi, De Doorns, Rooidakke and Water Works and Haarlem.

Grade four to seven learners were encouraged to enter the art competition to
demonstrate an understanding fire and floods. Learners were requested to
prepare A4 size drawings. A total of 545 pieces of artwork were received.
Learners from the IKhaya Primary School in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch won first
and second place. First place went to Unathi Futshane, and second place to
Ntando Ratshana, both are in Grade six. IKhaya Primary has 1 550 learners and
32 teachers. The principal is Ms Nomathamsanqa Migijima. The third prize goes
to Mkhanseli Matshaya from Imvumelwano primary School in Wallacedene.

“The plan is to extend this art competition to schools in high risk areas
throughout the province in the near future as it creates opportunities for our
children to portray and communicate messages focused on fire prevention and
flood precautions. Apart from showcasing their creativity, it also encourages
them to act as seeders in their communities, when they return home to share
vital information on these topics with their siblings, parents and neighbours.
They are able to reach right into the heart of the home and take the message to
where it really makes a difference,” adds Uys.

Every year fires wreak havoc across our province's beautiful landscape,
destroying property, land, fauna and flora which lead to land degradation, soil
erosion and ultimately pollution. Fires in informal settlements are
exceptionally common in the Western Cape leading to loss of life, severe
injuries and loss of possessions. “Once we have the knowledge, we must assume
responsibility for our own safety and alert others amongst us about the dangers
and what can be done to mitigate these,” says Uys.

The department has identified the following fire safety tips, empowering
people to live in a fire free environment:

Do's

(a) Do report the location and type of fires accurately
(b) Do have a fire safety plan in your home
(c) Do get rid of hot ash or coal in a safe place
(d) Do cover open fire with sand to smother it
(e) Do ensure electrical appliances are correctly wired
(f) Do keep the area around your home clear of material that can burn, such as
firewood and garbage
(g) Farmers should join / establish a local fire protection association
(h) Do build homes at least three meters apart to prevent fires from
spreading
(i) Do ensure home have more than one way out in case of fire
(j) Do keep matches, lighters, paraffin and poisons safe and far away from
young children
(k) Do use a child safety cap on paraffin bottles
(l) Do keep stoves on a flat surface - away from drafts and things that can
burn
(m) Do put out candles and lamps before you go to sleep or leave your home

Don't

(a) Do not throw cigarette butts out the window
(b) Do not leave open fire unattended
(c) Do not burn rubbish on a hot or windy day
(d) Do not play with matches
(e) Do not make veld fires without permission of local fire services
(f) Do not drive through smoke or you could end up in a fire
(g) Take care when using fire to smoke out honey
(h) Do not leave fires and cooking stoves unattended
(i) Do not smoke in bed, it is dangerous

Cobus Grobler
Media officer
Cell: 073 133 7299
Minister Uys
Cell: 082 455 5144

Issued by: Department of Local Government, Western Cape Provincial
Government
26 March 2009