Fire prevention advice for informal dwellers this winter
AFTER recent fire incidents in Durban left hundreds of informal dwellers homeless, ALS Paramedics is urging informal dwellers to be responsible and to practice safe planning to prevent fires.
Winter is fire season as people use whatever they can to keep warm. A fire on July 8, 2025 at Dakota Beach Informal Settlement in Isipingo, south of Durban, left about 481 people homeless after damaging 218 structures. If you live in an informal settlement, Garrith Jamieson from ALS Paramedics shares safety tips to prevent fires.
ALSO read: Don’t become a statistic this winter – take home fire prevention seriously
Throughout the winter season eThekwini Municipality bears the burden of fires, which are often caused by the irresponsibility of some citizens, according to the municipality’s communication unit.
During the winter of 2023, the city reacted to almost 6000 fire occurrences. “Fire outbreaks do not only result in damage to property, but they also take lives. Illegal electricity connections and unattended fires are usually found to be reasons behind these disasters. For us to turn the tide against these calamities that have become synonymous in the city, members of the public need to play their part by being cautious when using fire,” said the municipality in a statement.
Here are the tips to prevent fires in informal settlements as provided by Jamieson:
- One should not leave candles unattended.
- Ensure sufficient ventilation if there is a home-made fire to prevent further injury.
- Electric items should not be used as a source of a heater, for example, a two-plate stove being used to keep people warm. It’s extremely dangerous.
- Never handle any form of fire under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We find that people fall asleep after consuming alcohol and that is a common start of fires.
- It is always best to have fires outside where it is safer.
- If you are using a candle in the absence of power, you need to make sure that there is no cloth near it, such as a curtain that could blow and ignite the flame.
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