Be Safe with Your Braai: Fire Safety at Home

Did someone say braai? It’s summer in South Africa. We could braai every day!

Whether cooking with charcoal, wood, or gas, enjoy the holiday season with these fire safety tips. And for extra peace of mind, protect your home and loved ones with our Homeowners and Household Contents cover, helping you enjoy a safe, stress-free holiday

Monarch offers property insurance in the event of a fire.

Our Homeowner's Insurance covers you for loss or damage to your home from fire and helps cover the repair costs of your damaged building.

Our Household Contents policy covers you for loss or damage to your goods, appliances, electronic equipment, furniture, or clothes that are in your house, in the event of a fire.

Safety First

• Don’t let children start or mind the braai without an adult supervising. They also shouldn’t play anywhere near the lit fire.
• Your braai must be on a smooth, flat surface, and safely away from trees, structures, and anything flammable.
• Always braai in an open space to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never leave your braai unattended when lit.

Lighting the Fire

• Check which way the wind is blowing before you light the fire. It should be blowing away from you.
• Use firelighters or briquettes to get the fire going. Never use petrol or paraffin.

Maintaining Your Braai Toolkit

• Keep your braai grill and drip tray clean. Leftover grease, food, or ash could cause a fire.
• For gas braais, check the gas lines and connections for leaks. The gas cylinder should always be stored outside, and double-check that the valve is closed.

Just in Case

• If you have a fire extinguisher, keep it close when you’re braaiing. In an emergency, a bucket of water or sand can also put a fire out.
• Wear short sleeves (or roll them up) to protect your clothing from catching alight. If clothing ever catches fire, remember to stop, drop to the floor, and keep rolling until the flames go out.
• If you're braaiing with coals, soak them in water when you’re done before throwing them out.

We wish you a safe and happy festive (and braaiing) season.