Kwa-Thema – Since the start of the winter season many lives have been lost and properties destroyed due to house fires.
In the latest incident a nine year-old girl died after her home in Masechaba Section, Duduza caught alight in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) firefighters promptly responded when the call came in, finding the house in flames.
DEMS remains on high alert as temperatures around the city drop to new lows forcing many to use heating sources to keep warm.
Also read: Mbatha family left with nothing due to fire in Langaville
Emergency Services Disaster and Emergency Management Services district manager media liaison officer William Ntladi shared the following fire safety tips:
Braziers (coal stoves), fireplaces, gas, paraffin and electrical heaters:
• Keep the room or house ventilated. Open the windows or doors to avoid carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
• Put the braziers on a solid flat surface.
• Avoid using all heating sources in a confined space. Furniture and linen are easily combustible.
• Clean the fireplace and chimney to avoid carbon soot build-up that prevents smoke from escaping through the chimney.
• Never leave open flames, either heating or lighting sources, unattended because embers can cause a fire.
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