Seasonal safety tips from the OHS Academy
These common but often overlooked safety tips can keep you out of the emergency room this Festive Season.
The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Academy of Krugersdorp warns residents to be safe this Festive Season to avoid emergency room visits.
On behalf of the OHS Academy, who won the Rocci Business of the Year Awards in the Service Excellence category this year, Nick Matzopoulos spoke to the Record about general precautions people can take during ‘the silly season’.
Matzopoulus says that residents should be cautious of sharp or breakable decorations while decorating the Christmas tree with their small children to avoid cuts and choking hazards.
“Ensure that your Christmas lights are all approved and have no loose wiring, and don’t overload your wall plug sockets.
“This can cause a short in the circuit, possibly resulting in an electrical fire.”
All lights should be switched off and candles extinguished before going to bed to avoid an unexpected fire. Matzopolous encourages residents to have a CO2 fire extinguisher that is serviced and easy to reach should a fire occur.
To avoid drowning, swimming pools should remain closed off and children should not swim unattended.
“If you’re hiring house-sitters because you’re going on vacation, teach them to use your alarm correctly so that they do not alert neighbours falsely.”
He encourages neighbourly cooperation, and says that residents should remain alert in their neighbourhood, especially as they are approaching their homes.
According to Matzopoulos, sliding doors can be secured easily before leaving on vacation by simply placing a piece of timber (cut to size) in the sliding rail.
“Do not open the doors to anyone unless you know them and a visit is expected,” Matzopolous warns, saying it especially applies to people posing as officials from Telkom, Eskom or any other services.
“Please, don’t drink and drive. It’s an unnecessary risk to the sober people around you on the road. Rather call for a lift home or sleep over.”
Lastly, Matzopolous stresses the need to understand safety better, saying that residents should ensure that they’re trained in first aid and fire skills “to have the adequate knowledge on how to react promptly with efficient actions should an emergency occur.
“Enjoy the holiday season but stay safe and secure and adopt our slogan at the Academy, learning ‘the art of being wise before the event’.
“Stock up on first-aid kits.
“You never can have enough first-aid supplies and accidents are prone to happen during Christmas celebrations.”
