|
Kamares Fire Precautions
BIG FIRES START SMALL
EVERY SECOND COUNTS
- REPORT FIRES QUICKLY
EMERGENCY CALL
112 FOREST FIRES CALL 1407
There was a serious fire that burnt through the Kamares
Estate in 2021 and another fire that burnt behind the monastery in 2023.
Both needed people to evacuate their properties in a hurry.
There is again a high risk of fire in the Kamares area, the attached
notes have been compiled by the KVHA from the lessons learnt from these
experiences. We recommend you read them through to avoid any unnecessary
dangers to yourself and your property.
Emergency Number
It may be obvious, but the emergency number in Cyprus is 112. Please
remember this as it may differ from the number you are used to.
Details to give
emergency services
There is a simple “aide-memoire” at the end of this document which you
can print off and keep by your front door. Add your address, Kamares plot
number, postcode, and mobile number. This is useful in an emergency,
especially if you have guests staying.
WhatsApp
(Smartphone group communications)
There are very active WhatsApp groups in Kamares, Zelemenos, Karmi and
other areas around the estate. You are recommended to join your local
group which will keep you informed if there is a fire or other serious event
in the area. If you want to join the Kamares group then reply to
the email that sent out this note.
KVHA (Kamares
Village Homeowners Association)
This document was compiled by the KVHA, which liaises with both Leptos
and the local councils on behalf of the residents. If you are a
homeowner or long term renter and wish to join the KVHA then please fill
in the KVHA membership form at https://kvha.cy.
Insurance
Is your building insurance sufficient to cover the rebuilding of your
property? If you took the policy out sometime ago it would be worth
discussing the amount of cover with your insurance company.
Take photographs on your mobile of any items of particular value, i.e.
jewellery, watches, or anything that is unique and cannot easily be
replaced. Consider lodging the photographs with your insurance
company / broker to prevent problems in the event of a claim.
If you buy anything valuable, scan in and keep the receipts. Keep your
Insurance Company policy number and details as a contact on your phone,
set the birthday as your renewal date.
Computer users
Make full use of ‘The Cloud’ for keeping all your valuable documents, and
scan in copies of anything that is valuable or sentimental to you.
Failing this, take photographs of valuable documents/items and share them
with a family member.
Grab Bag
Be ready to grab and go. The last fire was extremely rapid and didn’t
give much time for people to grab their essentials (like passports, GESY,
visas, keys) before they had to leave.
Hoses
It is useful to have a hosepipe on standby. It should be long enough to
extend beyond the boundary of your property. Wet down your roof and
anything potentially inflammable if there is a threat of fire.
The Kamares electricity supply is very exposed to fire. If there is a
loss of electricity your water pumps will not work.
If the fire does come close, protect yourself, not your property.
Kamares Water
Supply
The water distribution infrastructure on Kamares is showing its age,
there are tanks at the top of the estate, however once the water goes
into these tanks there is no way to control where it goes. Our supply
comes from Tala, who get supplied from Paphos, and in the past we have
found that Paphos have not been supplying enough water to Tala.
If there is not enough water the infrastructure higher up dries up,
regularly depriving the higher properties in Kamares of water. The
properties lower down do not notice a problem until much later, so just
because you have water doesn’t mean that there isn’t a local water
shortage.
Do not leave the end of the hose in water, or in your pool. Hoses
left in pools can syphon out water into the water system, and you may end
up drinking your own pool water!
Please do not waste water in the summer. If your irrigation system is
overflowing then you are both wasting money and taking water from higher
up the estate. Irrigation systems only need to be on for 5 minutes
in 24 hours.
The fire department will bring its own water to a fire, however, please
make sure any fire hydrants near you are well marked and clear of any
obstruction.
Rubbish
There are cases of contractors dumping rubbish on unused plots, which
will only speed up a fire. It is illegal and anti-social to dispose of
rubbish except at approved locations. You should satisfy yourself that
any worker on your site removes all their rubbish and disposes of it at a
recognised site. Ask to see the receipts of such unless you know that the
worker has a site of their own to dispose of waste.
There is an excellent free disposal site not only for garden waste, but
unwanted electrical items, furniture, old paint cans, etc at Chlorakas –
please use it. A map showing the location of the ‘Green Point of Pafos’
is at the end of this document.
If you have large items to dispose of that you cannot move yourself,
please call Tala Council on 26
652 412 regarding large item collection. There will
be a small charge.
Cardboard
Do not store inflammable items like cardboard under wooden structures or
in the open. In 2021 the fire crossed a road by its embers blowing across
the road and setting light to stored wood and cardboard.
Glass
The last fire near Kamares was probably caused by the sun reflecting off
discarded glass.
Curtains
A fire will get into your house through open windows and set light to
your curtains. If you go out keep your windows closed if they could let
fire in.
Smoking
If you have smokers on your property, make sure that they are aware of
the fire risk. Provide a safe way for them to put out the cigarette
when finished. If the wind blows a smouldering cigarette-end onto dried
grass it will quickly turn into a fire.
Don’t throw cigarettes out of cars (yes, we too are shocked that we have
to remind smokers of this, yet most of us have seen this happen).
Around Your
Property
Before the summer each year, check that the area surrounding your
property, as far as you are able, is clear of vegetation. Mention any
concerns to the property owner or, in the case of open areas, your local
council.
Roads make good fire blocks, however overhanging tress or overgrown
bushes can allow fire to travel rapidly over roads, so look at the how
easily fire could spread to your property.
Gas
Installations, Tanks and Bottles
Keep all flammable materials a safe distance from gas tanks. When
reporting a fire mention the existence of any gas tanks or bottles on the
property.
The safety regulations for the installation of gas tanks and pipes are
quite specific, if in doubt you should have yours checked by an
authorised gas installer. All gas tanks must be used and stored in
the upright position. Try to keep them visible, or if they are stored,
put the correct label on the door.
Gas is heavier than air, if a gas tank or gas pipe leaks make sure that
the gas doesn’t collect in a basement or pool room under the pipe.
Inspect your gas pipes regularly, and always check if you smell gas.
Fire Extinguishers
and Fire Blankets
It is worth checking the date on fire extinguishers and reminding
yourself how they work before you have to use one in an emergency.
Also check their location and ask yourself if you could get to them if
there was a fire.
Fire Alarms and
CO Alarms
It is recommended having fire alarms outside kitchens and bedrooms, and
CO alarms (CO = Carbon Monoxide – a very poisonous gas with no smell)
near fireplaces and boilers. If you have an existing security
system these alarms can be added to the security system and your house
can then be monitored remotely.
Bonfires and
Firepits
No fire should be started in your garden or vicinity during the period 15
March to early November. You may operate a BBQ which is a
specific unit, but you must not dig a pit in your garden to create a
cooking unit of any type, nor burn anything. You must ensure that
any coals / charcoal from a barbeque are cold before disposing of them.
No work should be undertaken of any nature where a spark could be created
during the period 15 March to early November.
Fireworks
Fireworks are not permitted without a relevant permit.
Overhead
Electricity Cables
The fire in 2021 was caused by a tree leaning against electricity cables.
Regularly check to see if there are any trees growing close or in contact
with the overhead electricity cables. If you see this happen, you must
report it to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC).
Take a note of the number shown on the nearest telegraph pole as well as
your EAC account number (if on your property) and telephone 1800 at the
EAC so that the tree can be trimmed as soon as possible. It is also
possible to report such instances online (EAC Website), or using the EAC telephone
App.
Check that the work to trim the trees is carried out and if it isn’t,
report it again after a couple of weeks. It should be noted that the EAC
will not remove the cuttings and you should contact your local council
for collection. If any trees trimmed are on your property, it is
your responsibility to clear any debris away.
Evacuation
Routes
Familiarise yourself (and your guests) with evacuation routes from your
house and from the village. If your main route is blocked by fire, do you
know an alternative route out?
A number of houses require a key to unlock the main door – could you
quickly get to that key in an emergency?
Useful
Information
Assuming that you always have your smartphone on you, prepare an
emergency reference list on your phone of:
- Emergency contact numbers
for your bank, credit card companies, insurance company emergency
numbers and policy numbers etc.
- Set up an emergency next
of kin number (if your smartphone has this facility).
- Keep a list of telephone
numbers for banks, credit card companies and insurance companies,
also useful if you are burgled. Think of all the questions they may
ask if you need to ring them.
- Keep a list of all your
credit card’s 12-digit numbers. Do not write down the CVV number
(the three or four digit number usually on the back) or your PIN.
- Details of any medication
you are taking.
- Your account details
should you need to set up a replacement computer or mobile phone to
get at the information above!
If your phone is secure, take photographs of your passport, residency
permit, GESY, birth and marriage certificates, and share them with a
family member.
Emergencies
112
For:
Police, Fire and
Medical
Assistance
Location Details
House Number and Street
Postcode
Plot Number
Mobile Telephone Number
Useful Numbers
Citizens’ Hotline to Police 1460
Forest Fires 1407
Domestic Violence Centre 1440
Police Duty Officer (Confident Information) 1499
Air Sea Rescue 1441
Narcotics Helpline 1410
British Base Police 1443
Paphos Police 26 80 60 60
Fire Brigade HQ 22 80 24 24
Kamares Medical Centre 26 65 33 28
Paphos General Hospital 26 80 31 00
All Night Pharmacies 90 90 14 16
Paphos & Larnaca Airports 77 77 88
33
Kamares Club Reception 26 88 05 76
Paphos Post Office 26 88 05 76
Paphos Citizen Centre 26 82 24 00
IN THE EVENT
OF A FIRE
The safety of people is paramount.
You should not
take any action which would endanger your life or that of others.
If in doubt
DON’T.
If you discover a fire in your house or close by, keep calm and telephone
the emergency services on 112 and give the operator a clear address of
where the fire is. Make neighbours aware.
If you are out and discover a fire in a forest you can telephone the
Forestry Department on 1407.
If it is safe
to do so:
- close all doors, windows
and shutters, leave the premises, if this is possible, and go to a
place of safety. Do not lock the doors so if firefighters need
to gain entry they can do so.
- if there is smoke coming
from under or around a door or the do not open that door.
Leave by another means.
- if you have vulnerable
neighbours, make them aware and help them leave their property
safely.
- only if time permits throw any inflammable garden
furniture in the swimming pool. This is not to save the furniture
but to rob the fire of fuel.
It is not recommended that you attempt to tackle a fire yourself unless
it is of a very minor
nature.
If the fire relates to a pan of hot oil, turn off the heat and cover the
pan with a pan lid, fire blanket, or baking tray. DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE
THE BURNING PAN and NEVER
USE WATER TO PUT OUT AN OIL FIRE.
In the event of an electrical fire, switch off the power supply to the
relevant appliance.
Otherwise, fires are best left to the professionals who will have the
correct equipment and extinguishers for the job.
|
