With winter looming, freezing temperatures may become a challenge for those who are economically disadvantaged, and fires may result from trying to keep warm.
William Ntladi, district manager media liaison emergency services for Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), has offered some safety tips.
“Preparations are always better when anticipated challenges such as cold freezing temperatures are looming, moreover for informal settlement dwellers.”
He said 3m social distancing among the constructed shacks should be adhered to.
“If not, the entire informal settlement is subjected to a catastrophic end,” said Ntladi.
Knowing fire safety practices, he said can carry everyone safely through this icy-cold season.
“Stay home, stay indoors and always put safety practices as a priority; these will keep everyone safe from devastating winter fires and mainly from Covid-19 infections as well.”
According to Ntladi most fires are caused by lack of thought, and concentration or carelessness.
“Cigarettes, lighters, matches, candles, illegal electrical connections and over loading of circuits, heating appliances such as paraffin stoves, braziers and equipment such as power generators, liquified gas appliances, all can be lethal if not properly monitored,” said Ntladi.
In case your clothes catch fire, Ntladi said do not run, as it is better to stop, drop, and roll.
“Instinct will cause one to run but the more you run, the further the flame may spread,” said Ntladi
In case someone burns, he said to cover them with a blanket, as it will prevent flame sustainability and leads to the fire being extinguished.
Tips to follow
1. Keep a close eye on paraffin stoves. Don’t cook near a window with curtains.
2. Make sure the stove does not fall over, which may cause a fire and burn children.
3. Make sure candles cannot fall over. Don’t go to sleep with candles still burning.
4. Never ever put Braziers or Coal Braai-stands inside your home, if so, keep the door and windows opened to avert carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. Stay and keep combustibles at least a meter away from the heat source.
6. Smoking in bed is dangerous.
7. Watch out for discarded cigarette butts.
8. Be aware of the dangers of illegal and faulty electricity connections, which also cause fires.
9. Refill the electrical power generator, paraffin stove or lamps while still cold before use.
10. Keep separate buckets handy filled with water and sand, so that you can extinguish different flames easily.
11. Call local emergency services firefighters as soon as possible on.
Emergency numbers: 011 458- 091 (life threatening Ekurhuleni emergency line), 10177 (national toll-free number) or 112 (cellphone).
