The wildfire that devastated Rhodes Memorial, parts of Table Mountain and the University of Cape Town, hit close to home when Old Mutual Insure’s communication manager, Lisette Lombard, got caught in it on Sunday morning.
Lombard, who was lucky to escape with her life, had no idea what to do or where to run. She says “I wish more people knew what to do if they were caught in a fire. I completely underestimated how quickly the fire was spreading, and it was almost too late when I realised how deeply in trouble I was.”
Uncontrolled fires spread extremely quickly, especially on very hot and dry days. Therefore, Old Mutual Insure has given the following top tips on how to keep yourself and your family safe if you are caught in a wildfire:
- If you are outside, whether you are hiking or elsewhere, and realise you may be in trouble, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth or piece of clothing. If you do not know which way to run and cannot tell where the fire is coming from, find an area without any bush or vegetation or plants. If you know of a body of water nearby, try get to it so that you can put it between you and the fire. Alternatively find a ditch or a low spot on the ground; keep low by lying face down and covering your body with things like wet clothing, soil, or mud. Call for emergency services and inform your friends and family where you are by sending them a pin location. Consider the impact of the wind in the area that you are in.
- If you are home, stay calm, and stick together. Fill all sinks and bathtubs with cold water. Keep your doors and windows closed, but don’t lock them. Move furniture and curtains away from the windows and doors. If you can manage to do it safely, use a hose or sprinkler (or turn on your irrigation system) to wet the walls of your house and the outside grounds. Be mindful of dry flammable plant material around wooden structures and under wooden decks. Also be aware of any flammable items on your property, such as gas. Move as far away from it as possible, or lock the flammable items in a separate room.
- If you are in your car, then drive to a place as far away from foliage as possible. Find an open clearing to park in. Close your windows and air vents. Smoke can get in and this is often the first thing that harms or kills people, rather than open flames. Lie on the floor of your car, cover yourself with clothing or a blanket and phone for help. Let your loved ones know where you are by sending a pin location.
Christelle Colman, Old Mutual Insure spokesperson, advises that one should “check with your insurer if they have an emergency assist service before going on a hike or leaving your car. Some insurers offer 24/7 emergency assistance that allows you to call for help at the click of a button through an app, rather than needing to fiddle and look for a telephone number or contact on your phone.”
It is also important to protect your home and car by making sure your insurance is up to date, Colman concludes.
