As winter creeps into the city it brings with it its own unique set of safety challenges.
Temperatures are slowly decreasing and many people have begun to look for ways to beat the winter chill and keep warm.
Here are some safety tips to consider:Â
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1. Paraffin heaters:
• Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room ventilation.
This includes braziers and coal stoves as they produce deadly fumes and gases.
• Only use fuel recommended by the heater’s manufacturer.
• Be sure the heater is in good working condition and has an emergency shut-off valve in case it is tipped over.
• Keep the paraffin/fuel in a safe approved container away from children, in a well-ventilated area outside the house.
• Always use a childproof paraffin safety cap on your paraffin bottle and keep matches away from children.
• Never refill the heater while in operation or hot and do not over fill it.
• Place the heater away from any combustibles like furniture.
2. Gas heaters and stoves:
• Only approved gas appliances should be used.
• Always keep the gas cylinder in an upright position even during transportation, storage or during use in accordance to the two arrows displayed on the cylinders.
• Check the o-ring and gas pipe regularly for wear and tear – replace when necessary.
• Gas cylinders should be kept away from direct sunlight, rain, dust and any heat source.
• Do not put a gas cylinder near a hot surface such as a stove or open flame.
• When cooking, keep the stove above the level of the gas cylinder.
• When lighting a gas appliance, light the match/lighter before turning the gas cylinder valve on.
• When using a gas stove, never use a pot that is too big for the stove.
• Always keep windows open to ventilate the room or house when using gas.
• Avoid using garden hoses in place of the approved SABS/SANS gas pipes.
• Avoid over filled gas cylinders.
• After use, close the gas supply source before turning off the appliance.
3. Fireplace:
• Be sure the fireplace is installed properly by a qualified technician.
• Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire or accelerate flames.
• Always burn seasoned hardwoods to avoid lots of smoke in the room or house.
• Keep a grate in front of the fireplace opening to prevent sparks from jumping out and unwanted material from going in.
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Most fire incidents are caused by negligence and lack of understanding on how to properly and safely use heat or energy sources.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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