As winter approaches, a study warns of the Belgians' lack of preparation for fires: lack of knowledge of 112, absence of detectors and forgotten evacuation plans.
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Often synonymous with end-of-year celebrations, winter is approaching, and the risk of fires is increasing, for several reasons: fireworks, fireplaces, candles, etc. Verisure, a security specialist, publishes a study which raises questions, particularly in relation to the preparation of Belgians in the event of a fire… This may seem incredible to you (not in a good way…) but according to this study, 34% of Belgians do not know the emergency number to call in the event of a fire. “An alarming figure which rises to 44% among Brussels residents. This lack of knowledge could have serious consequences during an emergency and reveals significant gaps in the preparation of families in the face of domestic risk situations..”
As a reminder, you can call 112 or 101 if you urgently need the fire brigade, an ambulance or the police. Some examples: if a building, a forest or a vehicle is on fire, or in the event of a serious accident with injuries or deaths.
There is also the “1722“, which has an online counter, it can be requested when no one is in danger of death but you need help from the firefighters. Some examples: significant damage to the roof, a flooded cellar or even the flooded public road But be careful, it should only be used in these cases, you should not call it if the situation is potentially fatal, if there is a risk of collapse or if there is danger on the road. public road.
1 in 5 Belgians without an evacuation plan
If, unfortunately, a fire were to break out in your home, do you know how to react? “Nearly 20% of respondents say they do not have an evacuation plan in the event of a disaster, a statistic that could prove critical. This situation is particularly worrying among 35-54 year olds, who are less informed about the essential reflexes when faced with an emergency situation.“, explains Verisure.
Despite the obligation to have a smoke detector, 12% of Belgians reveal that they do not have one. This percentage even rises to 22 among Brussels residents, particularly among young people.
