Emergency services urge residents to be vigilant

JOHANNESBURG – Residents are encouraged to be vigilant during the Christmas season.

December 9, 2016

Busi Vilakazi 3 minutes read

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: