Tragic fire deaths in a Sri Lankan family: a quick reminder of fire-safety

The recent fire accident in South Auckland that took away precious lives of three members of Sri Lankan family and critically injuring two others who are fighting a battle against death has brought shock and grief in the small Sri Lankan diaspora community in New Zealand.

Kailesh Thanabalasingham, a prominent refugee lawyer who had immigrated to New Zealand from Sri Lanka decades ago and since then, had devoted his life helping others, especially the most vulnerable citizens in the country, is fighting for his life in the Middlemore hospital.

He would surely be unaware that he has lost his five-year-old-son, wife and mother-in-law, thus wiping away three generations of the family.

The other two survivors in the family – eleven-year-old daughter and 69-year-old father-in-law are in stable condition.

Friends and community members of the family are rallying behind the ill-fated family in the Middlemore hospital.

Their extended family living in Canada are on their way to New Zealand to support the remaining members of the family.  

While there is no denying that it’s a moment of grief and shock for everyone receiving this news, it is also a timely reminder for everyone especially for Kiwi-Indians and other communities originating from South Asian region to exercise supreme caution and fire-safety at home.

Without being disrespectful to anyone, it will be apt to acknowledge that for most of us in our communities fire-safety awareness is not high on agenda and added to it is our lifestyle we carry from our original ancestral homes that may not be best suited to the conditions in New Zealand.

For example, many people in our communities including this writer follow a regime of lightening incense sticks (agarbatti), lamps (diya), at our small worship places inside our house - a seemingly disarming practice that we have grown up with, without realising that it can be a potential source of a fire-related accident in our new settings in New Zealand.

The fact that it is a cultural practice and in most instances houses in our original homes back in India and South Asian region are made up of bricks, cement, stones thus creating a less combustible environment has made us subconsciously immune to the potential fire hazards that can emanate from such trivial practices.

Although we are lucky that there had not been many recorded fire accidents in New Zealand to have potentially started from incense sticks or fire lamps, it does not take away our responsibility to raise our awareness in a ‘culture-specific’ manner about fire-safety.

Towards this goal, following fire safety tips in addition to what is provided by the New Zealand Fire Service may be helpful.

Know your new settings well

• Know your new settings well and make sensitising everyone in the family about fire-safety your topmost priority.
• Since most new migrants from our part of the world are not sensitised towards fire-safety from very early in their lives, therefore, we fail to see the importance of early and robust sensitization around fire safety.
• Remember knowledge is power so better be aware and cautious than regret later.
• Understand that in your new setting in New Zealand where 90 per cent houses and house interiors are made of wood and hence more susceptible to trivial fire-related incidents.
• NEVER leave candles, incense sticks, agarbatti and any other naked flame such as diyas UNATTENDED at the time of festivals like Diwali or your normal daily worships.
• ALWAYS ensure the candle or incense sticks are placed on a fire retardant surface i.e. ceramic plate.
• Children should NEVER use candles - especially in the bedroom.

Be mindful of your new kitchen environment

• According to New Zealand Fire Service 35 per cent of ALL house fires start in the kitchen.
• Most of us would have our anxious moments in the kitchen soon after arriving in this new country and cooking our traditional foods like roti and parathas when suddenly fire alarm go crazy and we as new residents are clueless of how to negotiate the situation.
• For many of us, our kitchen smoke alarm goes off right from that moment, and we return to our normal stress-free life that comes without having a smoke alarm hanging on top of us preventing our normal cooking.
• If you are also guilty of this crime, then fix it immediately as sometimes an efficient functioning smoke alarm could be the only difference between life and death.

Familiarise yourself well with Barbeques

We like it or not, but will have to accept the fact that for most of us barbeques are a new thing. Moreover for many of us coming from the urban dwelling great Indian middle class where the use of charcoal for cooking have become redundant in recent past and the consumer-culture of using charcoal in barbeque for cooking for fun had not yet arrived, barbeques and charcoal in it are a potential fire hazard. In this regard, we need some extra education and sensitization around barbeques.

• Ensure you regularly check and maintain BBQ fittings and connection.
• Ensure there is adequate clearing around the BBQ.
• Supervise children at all times when using the BBQ.
• Remove all excess fat from BBQ after each use.
• Garages and sheds often contain fire safety hazards.
• Have flammable liquids and other products stored in appropriate containers.
• Keep the shed secure and locked.
• Ensure your shed has adequate ventilation.
• Gas and air form an explosive mixture
• Ensure you are aware of where gas isolation valves are located in your home.
• Have all gas appliances serviced according to manufacturer instructions

Following these fire safety tips, during this summer holiday can keep everyone safe.