WEATHER WARNING: Heatwave expected for Gauteng this week

CITY of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has noted with concern the warning message from the South African Weather Service that most parts of Gauteng including the City of Johannesburg will receive persistent high temperatures from Monday until Saturday going into the weekend with temperatures persistently high to over 36 degrees Celsius.

⚠️ALERT: SA Weather Service hinting at POSSIBLE HEAT WAVE for Gauteng later this week.

🔥🔥 DYK: Heat waves are strictly defined. They occur when temperatures are 5°C/+ above average of the hottest month of the year, for three consecutive days or more.

— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) November 12, 2018

Monday🌤13|32°C
Tuesday⛅️14|33°C
🔥HOTTER
Wednesday⛅️14|34°C☂️15%
Thursday⛅️15|34°C☂️15%
Friday🌤16|35°C
Sat🌤18|35°C
🚴🏻‍♀️Sunday⛅️14|31°C☂️27%#JHBWeather

Mon🌤15|33°C
Tue⛅️16|34°C
🔥HOTTER
Wed⛅️16|36°C☂️21%
Thu⛅️17|37°C☂️20%
Fri🌤18|37°C
Sat⛅️19|37°C
Sun⛅️16|33°C☂️30%#PTAWeather

— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) November 11, 2018

“These temperatures are expected to last for the whole week and we will remain on high alert from Monday towards the weekend to make sure we are able to respond to any emergency which might occur as quickly as possible,” said Robert Mulaudzi, Spokesperson

City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services.

“This current heatwave means most of the citizens of the city of Johannesburg will be exposed to extremely hot temperatures, which can easily lead to heat cramps, exhaustion or heatstroke,” he added.

Here are some of the heat wave safety tips.

1. Keep indoors if possible.
2. Keep cool by taking lots of fluids and wearing light clothing.
3. Protect young children by wearing hats and sunscreen.
4. Stay away from direct sunlight especially between 11am and 3pm.
5. Cool yourself by visiting your local municipal swimming pools, where Life Guards will be 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 unmonitored.

Tips to survive the heat

1 .Avoid direct sunlight by wearing a hat and a sunscreen.

2. Do not leave children or pets in parked locked vehicles.
3. Stay in or under the shade.
4. Drink lots of water or fluids to prevent dehydration.
5. Take frequent breaks if you are working outdoors.
6. Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks.

Those who will be tempted to swimming to cool off the heat, here are some of the safety tips

1. Swimming pools should be covered with a safety net all the times while not in use.
2. Install a fence around a swimming pool.
3. 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.
4. Use your local municipal swimming pools which will have life guards on site.

Young Children

1. Young children are urged to stay away from river streams and dams to prevent drowning incidents, instead encourage them to visit one of our state of the art City of Johannesburg public swimming pools in your area. They have Life Guards on site to monitor while swimming.

Stay safe around water during this period of heatwave. For any life threatening emergencies call 10177 on Telkom landline or 112 on your cell phone or 011 375 5911.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

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