Hints and tips
The Seychelles fire and rescue services strongly believes that fires in the home can be prevented, by taking some basic and common sense precautions. We have dedicated this section to help you to inspect your home for anything that could cause a fire. You can then take the necessary actions to protect your home and the people who live in it.
By following the below information, you will substantially reduce the chances of fire harming you, your family or your home.
Never make hoax, fake or prank calls as they lead to prosecution and put people's lives in danger.
Dialing the 999
When you dial 999, your call will be relayed to the SFRSA by the Police Command Centre. The attendant will ask you which emergency service you require and the telephone number that you are dialing from. You must then stay on the line where you will then be connected to the Fire and Rescue Control Room.
The Operator Will Ask You Some Questions
- What is your emergency ?
- What is the location of the incident ? (district, sub district, landmarks)
- What is the nearest main road to get to your location ?
- Are there any person trapped or injured ?
- The name of the caller and contact information
Reasons these questions are asked.
- The SFRSA needs to know what is on fire or what other emergency you have to enable us to decide what our response will be.
- We also need to know the location where the emergency is; to know which station is nearest to you for deploying response
- The nearest main road assists us in determining whether our appliance can reach were you reside and where the nearest fire hydrant or water source is located.
- We need to know the telephone number that you are calling from, so that we can contact you again if we need any further information from you. This information is not given to anyone other than emergency service personnel.
- If you are unfamiliar with the area and are unable to give a precise directions you will be asked for any landmarks that you can see.
It will look as if you're being asked too many questions and your call is taking too long to deal with. Don’t worry, the fire and rescue service will already be on the way whilst you are still talking to the operator
One simple advise. When a fire breaks out, get out, stay out and call for help.
Property can be replaced, however, lives cannot. Knowing the basics and having a fire action plan – where everyone knows what to do in an emergency – could save lives. In the event of a fire, make sure everyone leaves immediately - call for help. Closing doors behind you as you leave the house will slow down the spread of flames and help protect both people and your belongings from fire.
DO's
- Stay low to the floor where the air is cleaner and cooler
- Shout to warn your family or anyone nearby – even out-side
- If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop down and roll on the ground until the flames go out.
- If someone else’s clothing catches fire, use a blanket, rug or thick coat to put out the flames
- If you can’t get out, stand by a window so firefighters can see you
- Never open a door if it's warm to touch, there could be fire inside
- Attempt to fight a fire ONLY if it is safe to do so.
NEVER
- Use a lift. Always take the stairs
- Stop to take anything with you
- Try to go back inside until a firefighter tells you it’s safe to do so
- Jump out of a window, unless you are sure it will be safe to do so
Remember, smoke and fumes can quickly overcome anyone. Trying to tackle a fire or staying to salvage goods could prove fatal. If a fire does happen in your household, the only safe thing to do is get out the building and call the fire service.
In the nature that you are trapped
- Get everyone into one room (grab a mobile phone if you can). This is your ‘safe’ room
- When everyone’s in the room, pack clothes, cushions, pillows or towels around the door to keep smoke out
- Open a window and shout for help or call the Fire & Rescue Services
- Stay at the open window
- If you’re on the first floor, you might be able to drop some pillows or cushions and then lower yourself from the windowsill. Only ever try this if you’ve no other choice
- If you’re leaving by a window and there are two adults, one should go first to catch children that are passed down by the other. Pass them slowly and stretch full length before you let them go
- If you’re on a higher floor, lean out of the window for fresh air until the Fire and Rescue Service arrives
