In the News
Put It Out has been featured in various news articles
- ENCA – Toli goes live on ENCA to talk about the Put It Out Fire Extinguisher
- KayaFM – Interview with Toli talking about Put It Out
- 3rd Place Winner – 2019 SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Award Finalist (R750 000) – as well as the accompanying video
- TimesLive – Putting out a fire was never easier, thanks to SA man’s spark of genius
- YOU Magazine – My mission is to stomp out home fires
- The Star Early Edition – Putting out fires
- CGTN – Business Channel video
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About Us
Put It Out seeks to reduce the impact of fires that have devastated families in informal settlements and townships in South Africa and across the globe by empowering residents with the world’s most cost-effective and safe fire extinguisher.
Our vision – to help save the lives of people in rural communities in South Africa and eventually everyone around the world.
Our Story
History
Toli Altounis first started his journey supplying snacks and amakipkip
(flavoured popcorn) across the country and into rural areas, this is where
he became more aware of the everyday struggle in informal settlements.
Inspiration
The concept of the fire extinguisher came after a fire broke out in the community
of Khayelitsha in 2015. Our product is designed to be the first response, to small fires, as most big fires start off small. This is because most shacks are built with highly combustible materials, have no access to running water and because they are built close to each other there is no infrastructure for fire trucks to access the area and effectively combat fires.
We wanted this product to
require no maintenance, unlike other fire extinguishers on the market. After we realised that there weren’t any cheap and reliable fire-protection products available in South Africa, we decided to do some market research. What we found was more alarming than we first imagined.
The Product
Overview
The Put It Out mini fire extinguisher is designed to save lives by providing communities with a tool to combat small fires. The product can be used by
anyone including small children. It has been tested by FireLab, part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and is market-ready. The fire extinguisher is produced in Strydom Park, Gauteng, in a small factory that employs people with disabilities.
Ingredients
The non-toxic, safe, cost effective and easy-to-use mini fire extinguisher is a sealed, durable pouch filled with acetic acid, otherwise known as vinegar. Suspended in the liquid is an airtight capsule filled with sodium hydrogen carbonate (aka baking soda), which is also safe if it comes into contact with the user’s skin or eyes.
Fire Classification
The fire extinguisher is designed as a 1st response for small fires – Class A and B fires (Textiles and flammable liquids respectively). Put It Out is
unable to put out cooking oil, fatty fires and live electrical power. Also note that the fire extinguisher is:
- A patented product (SA Pat No. 2015/09350)
- Independently tested by Firelab (Part of CSIR)
How to Use The Fire Extinguisher
The Put It Out Mini Fire Extinguisher was designed to be as simple to use as possible.
Step 1
Break seal and open lid
Step 2
Pop capsule inside pouch
Step 3
Spray contents onto fire
Play Video
Put It Out Used In Different Scenarios
Paraffin
Cigarettes
Candles
Our Team
Alina
Packager
Andrea
Assistant
Toli
Founder
Phillis
Packager
Colin
Packager