Overstrand Municipality has taken another step toward improving fire safety in high-risk informal settlements by rolling out the latest phase of its smoke alarm installation programme.

Backed by provincial funding, the initiative focuses on early fire detection and community awareness to help reduce the tragic loss of life, personal belongings and burn injuries often caused by fires in informal structures.

With R500 000 received through the Municipal Service Delivery and Capacity Building Grant (2023/24), the municipality procured 1 577 smoke alarms, while an additional 310 units were purchased using Overstrand’s own funds – bringing the total to 1 887 devices.

The official handover took place on 15 August 2025 at the Fire Services Department in Hermanus, attended by councillors, the Public Safety Management team, Overstrand Fire & Rescue personnel, and delegates from the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

Overstrand Fire Chief Lester Smith confirmed that the municipality’s own firefighting teams will handle the installations, going door to door to fit smoke alarms into each dwelling. In addition to the installations, residents will also receive basic fire safety awareness training, including practical tips on preventing fires, responding to emergencies, and understanding how the alarms work.

The next phase will begin in Die Kop, Stanford, identified as a priority area due to its location between Gansbaai and Hermanus, where emergency response may be delayed because of distance. Previously, alarms were successfully installed in Overhills, Kleinmond, through earlier grant funding.

The smoke alarms are installed in the highest area of each structure, ideally positioned to detect smoke from all parts of the home. Once smoke is detected, the alarm emits a loud sound, giving residents time to escape quickly and safely.

Etienne du Toit, Deputy Director for Fire and Rescue Services at the Department of Local Government, facilitated the handover and explained the initiative’s objectives. He said research conducted in collaboration with Stellenbosch University has shown that early detection through smoke alarms significantly improves the chances of survival in these environments.

In many informal settlements, homes are built from highly flammable materials and are often tightly packed together. During cold winter months, residents use open fires for heating, while in summer, candles and open-flame stoves add to the fire risk. Research shows that residents may have less than three minutes from the start of a shack fire before facing serious injury or fatality – which is why early detection is crucial to saving lives and protecting property.

Overstrand Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion expressed her appreciation, saying: “We are deeply grateful to the Western Cape Provincial Government Department of Local Government, under the leadership of Minister Anton Bredell, for funding this initiative with half a million Rand.”

She also thanked MMC for Municipal Public Safety, Andrew Komani, Director Neville Michaels, Fire Chief Lester Smith, Assistant Fire Chief Angelo Aplon, and their respective teams for working with external stakeholders to make the project a reality.

As MMC Komani previously stated: “Fires can strike at any time, often with no warning – and the consequences can be devastating. In densely packed communities made up of highly flammable materials, a single spark can quickly turn into a disaster. Early detection doesn’t just save homes – it saves lives, documents, memories, and livelihoods.”