EMERGENCY Management Services (EMS) has noted with concern the warning message from the South African Weather Service that most parts of the City of Johannesburg will experience persistent high temperatures throughout this week with temperatures persistently high to over 40 degrees.
This current heatwave means that most of the citizens of the City of Johannesburg will be exposed to extremely hot temperatures. Exposure to this kind of heat can easily lead to heat cramps, exhaustion or heatstroke.
Here are some heatwave safety tips:
• Keep indoors if possible.
• Keep cool by taking lots of fluids and wearing light clothing.
• Protect young children with hats and sunscreen.
• Stay away from direct sunlight, especially between 11:00 and 15:00.
• Cool yourself by visiting your local municipal swimming pools with lifeguards on site.
Possibility of veld fires:
The hot, dry and windy weather also presents the threat of veld fires and people are discouraged from dumping their burning cigarettes butts in dry grass or leaving open fires unattended.
Tips to survive the heat:
• Avoid direct sunlight by wearing a hat and sunscreen.
• Do not leave children or pets in parked locked vehicles.
• Stay in or under the shade.
• Drink lots of water or fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Take frequent breaks if you are working outdoors.
• Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
Those who are tempted to swim to cool off should be aware of these safety tips:
• Swimming pools should be covered with a safety net at all the times while not in use.
• Install a fence around a swimming pool.
• The fence around the swimming pool should be high enough to prevent children from climbing over it and it must always be locked if not in use.
• Use your local municipal swimming pools which have lifeguards on site.
Stay safe around water during this period. For any life-threatening emergencies call 10177 on a Telkom landline or 112 on your cellphone or 011 375 5911.
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