Fire poses a very serious security treat to households, schools and businesses and to many valuable items that most people possess. Sadly, very few people are aware of the great security treat that fire poses in their daily lives, especially those people that live in informal settlements and rural areas. There are many factors responsible for causing fire. The most cause of fire is negligence. One often hears of stories about people that leave open flame heaters lit while they venture off to the shops or what is supposed to be a quick drink at the neighbourhood bar.
In informal settlements however, though one can still cite negligence as a major contributing factor, the socio-economic situation leaves many innocent people vulnerable to fire and other security hazards. Usually in informal settlement there is no electricity or people there cannot afford it. People invent and start vigorously using unsafe ways for cooking, heating and lighting the home. This unsafe use of fire and stolen electrical connections leads to the quick spread of violently destructive fire.
One cannot overlook completely unforeseen accidents and malicious damage to property by fire. This is particularly relevant to our country with its frighteningly high crime rate. Negligence is a recurring factor in the discussion on the causes of fire. Even wild fires are the result of careless individuals in dry and densely vegetated areas. Such fires are common in Cape Town in the forest area surrounding Table Mountain.
People living in urban areas are not as vulnerable to fire and security hazards because they use electricity to make the home a comfortable and convenient place to be. Electricity is much safer if it is used with care and caution to minimise the risk of fire such as covering exposed electric wires.
Schools and other learning institutions are also at a lesser risk of fire and security treat because of the preventative fire and security measures put in place by government regulations to ensure the safety of staff, pupils and neighbouring establishments. For extra measure, schools often have fire drills.
