Stay alert for heavy downpours

Severe thunderstorms:

•If outdoors seek shelter immediately, but do not seek shelter under a tree, under telephone and/ or power lines, on hilltops, in isolated sheds, under unprotected gazebos or picnic shelters.

•If there is a group of low trees separate from high trees, you can hide under the low trees.

If a tree stands alone or is higher than the others, stay away from it.

•Avoid being near metal objects such as fences, golf carts, telephone or power lines and steel structures such as pylons and windmills.

Do not hold any metal object, use any electrical appliance, use the telephone, or take a bath or shower.

•Do not play sport during thunderstorms – golfers and fishermen are at high risk.

•If possible, stay indoors, clear of windows. Shelter pets, cover vehicles and disconnect electrical appliances.

•Find shelter in a building or vehicle.

•Unplug all electrical equipment that is not important, such as computers.

•Close curtains and windows – if the glass should break, the curtain will protect you against flying pieces.

•When walking, do not attempt to cross flowing streams.

Remember that it takes only six inches (15,24cm) of rushing water to knock an adult off his feet

•Do not ignore the barricades.

•If flooding begins in your area, go to higher ground immediately.

•When driving, always be aware that the road bed under floodwaters may be severely damaged. Therefore, never drive through flooded roadways as it takes only two feet of water to carry away a vehicle, including pickups and SUVs.

•Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots.

•The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches (30,48cm) of moving water and roads covered by water are prone to collapse.

Attempting to drive through water may also stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine.

Therefore, if you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.

•If your vehicle stalls, get out immediately and go to higher ground.

•Be extra cautious at night, when it is harder to see possible flood dangers.

•These four words could save your life: TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.

•Listen to the radio or television for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

The following are emergency numbers to keep on hand:

The Ekurhuleni’s DEMS Emergency Number: 011 458 0911 (paid line).

National Emergency Number: 10177

Cellphone Emergency number: 112

Also read: Burn victim identified as Barry McCallum

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