Advisory for Summer Fires ( Do's and Don'ts ) Special Emphasis on Slum Dwellers
Before Fire
1. Remove dry vegetation from around and between dwellings
2. Avoid building in areas where access for firefighting vehicles may be challenging, such as in areas prone to flooding
3. Avoid building on steep hillsides, where fire may spread rapidly upwards
4. Use construction materials (structure and linings) which do not propagate rapid fire growth (e.g. avoid plastic sheet walls and roof coverings)
5. Provide multiple escape routes from each dwelling
6. Maximise separation distance to adjacent dwellings
7. Replace open flame cooking, lighting and heating appliances with safer alternatives
8. Practice safe storage of fuels used for cooking, lighting, and heating
9. Use circuit breakers, insulated electrical wiring and equipment with fuses
10. Store waste safely and remove waste regularly
11. Avoid settlement development in naturally hazardous areas, such as wetlands and floodplains of rivers
12. Avoid settlement development near high hazard areas, such as landfills and industrial premises
13. Memorise emergency services phone number(s), save to phone contacts and keep a written record
14. Use safe cooking, lighting and heating practice (e.g. do not leave appliances unattended, keep clothing/furniture away from appliances, etc.)
15. Share knowledge and ideas on fire safety with neighbours
16. Teach children about fire safety and promote safe behaviour
17. Coordinate training and awareness sessions on fire risk and fire safety
18. Establish a community firefighting team and develop community firefighting procedures
19. Establish Community firefighting equipment including buckets of sand or water, pot covers, fire blankets, fire extinguishers, firefighting tools (e.g. crow bar, beater, hook, axe)
During Fire Accident
1. Alert children and family members about fire incident
2. Alert neighbours about fire incident
3. Communicate accurate location of fire and information relevant to persons who require assistance to escape to fire and rescue services
4. Activate community warning system
5. Alert community fire response teams (e.g. community firefighting teams) as per community response plan
6. Assist children and family members who need support evacuating and leave dwelling immediately
7. Walk to assembly point via evacuations routes
8. Do not return to dwelling until firefighters confirm it is safe to do so
9. Try to extinguish small fires if it is safe to do so (e.g. using pot cover, sand, water, fire blanket, fire extinguisher)
10. Alert neighbouring communities of fire
11. Shut off electricity supply to the dwellings wherever possible
