The festive season hype is here and this means shopping centres are busy and there is a bustle on the streets.
City of Johannesburg’s emergency management services (EMS) urged residents to be more careful and vigilant.
“The festive season is a time when people are often more prone to accidents than any other time of the year. We want people to be safe and use these festive season safety tips,” said EMS spokesperson, Robert Mlaudzi.
“Please note that children will be playing in the streets and a lot of people will be walking.”
Referring to pedestrian safety, Mlaudzi advised:
- Pay attention and be aware at all times
- Wear light-coloured clothing to be more visible at night
- Never walk while under the influence of alcohol as it impairs your judgement
- Always use designated pedestrian road crossings, pedestrian bridges and traffic lights to cross the street.
Mlaudzi also emphasised the following road safety tips:
- Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on highways
- Hawkers are not allowed to sell goods on freeways or pavements
- Vehicles are not allowed to stop on highways to pick up passengers.
- He also encouraged drivers to be careful on the road:
- Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy
- Ensure that your safety belt is on at all times
- Pay attention at all times when driving
- Indicate your attention to change a lane or pull over
- If you are in doubt about who has the right of way, yield
- Do not talk on your cellphone while you are driving
- Take regular breaks on long journeys to avoid fatigue
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol
- Avoid loud distracting music while driving
- Keep to the recommended speed limit.
He also gave the following tips for passenger safety:
- Ensure that your safety belt is on at all times
- Children should be occupied on long journeys to avoid distracting the driver
- Children should be fastened in car safety seats.
He gave the following fireworks safety tips:
- Buy fireworks from a reputable dealer
- Follow the instructions carefully
- Always supervise children around fireworks
- Use protective eyewear
- Ignite fireworks outdoors only
- Always have a bucket of water or garden hose handy
- Store fireworks in a closed box.
Things to avoid when using fireworks:
- Do not use cigarettes to light fireworks
- Do not shorten or lengthen the fuse
- Do not carry fireworks in your pockets or throw them while alight
- Do not be under the influence of alcohol when setting off fireworks.
He also asked residents to look after their pets and make sure they are safe:
- Keep your pets indoors when using fireworks
- Never throw fireworks that have been lit, at pets
- Contact animal welfare organisations such as the SPCA, Animals in Distress and Claw when any animals are in distress.
Residents are also asked to take note of fireworks bylaws.
According to City bylaws, fireworks are allowed on specific days, at specific times which include:
- New Year’s Eve from 11pm to 1am
- New Year’s day from 7pm to 10pm
- Chinese New Year from 7pm to 10pm
- Human Rights Day from 7pm to 10pm
- Freedom Day from 7pm to 10pm
- Diwali from 7pm to 10pm
- Guy Fawkes from 7pm to 10pm
- Christmas Eve from 7pm to 10pm
- Day of Goodwill from 7pm to 10pm.
With the rainy season upon us and the recent floods, residents are encouraged to check weather updates and weather warnings.
Water and flood safety:
- Swimming is an essential life skill. The safest way around water is to know how to swim. It is never too late to learn how to swim
- Install a fence around the pool with a locked gate or install a safety net
- Never leave small children alone and unattended around open sources of water inside the home such as the bathtub, sinks or basins, buckets and toilets.
Safety tips around water:
- Learn to swim and arrange for your family to learn to swim
- Children should never be left unsupervised
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or after a big meal
- Never swim at night.
Precautions for flooding while driving:
- Never attempt to cross a flooded river or bridge by foot or with your vehicle as you might be swept away by flood waters.
Details: Metro police/Fire/Emergency Management Services 011 375 5911; Emergency Management Services 10177; cellphone emergency 112.
