Safety tips to keep you safe in the cold
Be winter-wise with these general safety tips:
Tips provided by William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) :
Paraffin:
• Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room ventilation.
This includes braziers and coal stoves as they produce deadly fumes and gases.
• Always use a childproof paraffin safety cap on your paraffin bottle and keep matches away from children.
“Teach children that paraffin and matches shouldn’t be played with,” said Ntladi.
Read: Emergency services warn community to be on high alert in the cold
Gas heaters and stoves:
• Only approved gas appliances should be used.
• Avoid over filled gas cylinders.
“Only registered dealers should refill gas cylinders,” said Ntladi.
Fireplace:
• Be sure the fireplace is installed properly by a qualified technician.
“It should have adequate clearance from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection,” said Ntladi.
• Keep a grate in front of the fireplace opening to prevent sparks from jumping out and unwanted material from going in.
Read: Take precautions to prevent fire damage during the cold months
General safety tips for heater use:
• Placement of the heater should be centralised within the room away from any combustibles.
• Do not dry clothes with a heater as this is a potential fire hazard.
• Keep the room or house ventilated when using paraffin or gas heaters as they emit toxic fumes.• If you do not know how to operate the heat or energy source leave it alone.
Ntladi reminded the community, “Most fires are caused by negligence and lack of understanding on how to properly and safely use heat or energy sources.”
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