Residents urged to stay safe during winter
Safety tips for prevention of fires during winter months
Residents are urged to take the necessary safety precautions during the winter season to minimise the number of fire incidents and resulting injuries or fatalities.
“Because the winter season is often dry and very cold in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), there is usually an increase in the number of fire emergencies we respond to,” said Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the CoJ Emergency Management Services (EMS).
Read more: How to prevent house fires
He added that this is because residents, and especially those in the informal settlements, are tempted to use a variety of heating and lighting appliances to warm themselves. “In most cases people use these items incorrectly and in an unsafe manner, causing them to be more vulnerable to fire incidents,” he said. To prevent fire emergencies during the fire season, residents should take care when using candles, paraffin stoves and heaters.
Mulaudzi assured residents that EMS will remain on high alert throughout the winter period to respond swiftly to any emergency. “Our focus will be on our 189 informal settlements across the CoJ, as we know these residents are the most vulnerable to fires during winter,” he said. But, he added, residents in formal residential areas should also take care, and not leave heaters unattended.
EMS gives the following safety tips to prevent fires:
• Always keep candles away from children.
• Do not leave an unsupervised child in a room with a burning candle.
• Store matches, candles and lighters out of reach of children.
• Do not use a candle to light your stove.
• Do not use candles in a confined space. Use it in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation.
• Before you go to bed, put out the flame.
• Use your paraffin stove on a flat surface where it cannot fall or be knocked over.
• Store paraffin in safe containers, for example in bottles with safety caps that cannot be opened by children.
• Do not leave a candle or paraffin lamp burning, put it out before going to bed or going out for the evening.
• Switch off heaters and stoves at the plug before turning in for the night, or going out.
• Do not smoke in bed and always put out cigarettes thoroughly.
Mulaudzi concluded by saying, “Residents should call 10177 on a Telkom landline or 112 on their cellphones to report any life-threatening emergencies. They can also call EMS on 011 375 5911.”
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