What to do if there is....

By Bushtots

Fire:
Immediately set off the fire alarm if you are in a building and exit calmly. If the fire breaks out whilst you are travelling, look for the nearest alarm box and send the alarm from there. Wait near the alarm box until the firemen arrive so that you can tell the where exactly the fire is located. Only grown ups should try to put out the fire, if possible, before the firemen arrive. Keep all doors shut, thereby avoiding draughts and preventing the rapid spread of the fire.

If you are trapped on the higher floors, do not jump as the firemen will save you and are very prompt in reaching the scene of a fire once the alarm has been sounded.

Remember: do not wait to send the alarm.

Car Accident:
When a car accident happens, injuries may be severe and emotions may be high. However, there are important things that must be taken care of both at the scene of any accident and soon afterward. These are some of the things that you must do:

1. Stay at the Scene:
You should never leave the scene until it is appropriate to do so. If you leave the scene of the accident, especially if someone got hurt or was killed, you could face serious criminal penalties for being a ‘hit-and-run’ driver. However, be cautious if you are hit by another driver in a deserted area. This comes with the risk of you being bumped, robbed and perhaps even killed. Instead of getting out of the car in that situation, you would rather go to the nearest police station to report the accident.

2. Check on all drivers and passengers:
Before you check how much damage has been done to the car(s), check to make sure that everybody else involved in the accident is okay. Get medical attention for anyone who may need it. Try not to move anybody who is unconscious or complaining of back pain before medical personnel arrive. If a person is lying in a pool of gas and you are afraid that the car will catch fire, then you have no choice but to move the person as steadily and slowly as possible whilst supporting their back and neck.

3. Call the Police:
Especially if the accident involves significant property damage, physical injury, or death. Ask for a police report to be filed in situations where law enforcement officers do arrive at the scene, and obtain the name and badge numbers of any responding officers.

An Injured Animal:
- if the car drives away after hitting an animal take down the licence plate number and phone the police immediately. Animals have right too! You can take the animal to the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). They help animals at their clinic. They can be contacted on 021 700 4140.
- If you are calling to report an injured horse, you can call the Cart Horse Protection Association. They look after horses that are not healthy. Their phone number is 021 535 3434.
- For an animal that needs to be hospitalised and /or an operation, you can contact the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). They have three hospitals in Cape Town, Soweto and George. They also have mobile units that go out into the communities to help animals and take them back to the hospital if there is a need to. They can be contacted on 021 638 5134 or if you are in the Mitchell’s Plain area you can contact them on 021 371 2440.

Remember animals should be seen and not hurt!