The Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has issued a number of winter safety tips for community members to follow.
“As temperatures are drastically getting very low, and in some areas they are below the sub–zero levels, everyone is advised to be extra cautious when dealing with household energy sources for cooking, warming and lighting in their respective homes and places of employment,” said William Ntladi, DEMS media liaison officer.
“Safety awareness regarding heat energy sources should also be emphasised to the commercial and industrial fraternity during winter, especially as we’re facing the crisis of load shedding these days.
“The risks of property damage by rampant blazes is very high and, in some disastrous circumstances, lives are being lost and this is massively impacting on our environment and economy.”
Ntladi added that as vegetation is dry it is prone to fire and this will have a detrimental impact on the environment and could also result in the loss of lives.
“Moreover when veld fires are next to major routes and freeways, companies and properties including residential properties are directly affected.
“Fires in such areas lead to obscured vision for motorists and increases the possibility of major accidents.
“As DEMS, we have experienced extreme and horrible accidents and deadly incidents that were possibly caused by veld fires, negligence, arson, and non-compliance of companies and individuals to the Environmental Impact Regulations.
“As a result, fatalities and loss of valuable properties will continue to occur if people do not adhere to the rules.”
Most fires are caused by negligence and lack of understanding towards heat sources.
The attitude of individuals also contributes to the number of fires that are experienced within the informal settlements, formal settlements, industrial and commercial environments.
Take note of the following helpful winter safety tips:
Gas stoves and gas heaters:
- Only approved gas appliances should be used.
- Keep the cylinder in an upright position at all times, even during transportation, storage and during use, in accordance to the two arrows displayed on the cylinders.
- Check the “O-ring” and gas pipe regularly for wear and tear.
- Cylinders should be kept away from direct sunlight, rain, dust and any source of heat.
- Don`t put the gas cylinder on hot surfaces like stoves and open flames.
- When cooking, keep the stove above the level of the cylinder.
- Place the appliances (stove) on the centre of the table.
- When lighting the gas appliance, first light the match then turn the gas on.
- For a gas stove, never use a pot that is bigger than the size of the stove.
- Before using the cylinder, check for leakage from the cylinder valve and other joints by applying soapy water.
- Always use a cotton apron while cooking.
- Keep windows open to ventilate the room or house at all times.
- If there is leakage from the valve, take the cylinder to an open area to ventilate it safely and contact emergency services or the distributors.
- Avoid using garden hoses in place of the approved SABS gas pipes.
- Avoid over filled cylinders. Only registered dealers are allowed to refill the cylinders.
Cooking sources:
Paraffin can be used as a source of energy in your home during the winter season and load shedding.
If not handled with extreme care or swallowed it can be poisonous, cause severe illness or death and can burn your skin even if unlit.
People often use chemically contaminated containers when purchasing paraffin and this can lead to vigorous chemical reactions and even explosions.
Using paraffin appliances inappropriately or knocking them over can lead to fires which may result in severe burns and injuries or explosions.
Paraffin also emits harmful fumes whether it is being burnt or not.
By following these few simple hints, you can help prevent and treat paraffin incidents:
- Always use your childproof paraffin safety cap on your paraffin bottle and keep paraffin and matches away from children.
- Never use cold drink or fruit juice containers to store paraffin as children can drink from them and suffer paraffin poisoning.
- Use only approved clear paraffin in the appliance(s). Avoid mixing it with other flammable liquids.
- If you spill paraffin on yourself, wash it off and change your clothes so that it doesn’t burn your skin.
- When cooking with paraffin, leave a window open to let out the fumes (ventilation).
- Use the appropriate pot size on the paraffin stove.
- Operate them away from other flammable liquids or gases.
- When you pour paraffin into a lamp or stove, use a funnel not a cup. If you use a cup, a child might think it contains water and drink from it. A funnel prevents spillages and you must only refill your appliance when it is cold.
- Always keep paraffin stoves and lamps on a flat surface so they won’t fall and start a fire.
- Keep the burning stove away from combustibles such as curtains next to the windows.
- Always turn your stove and lamp off when you leave home or are out of sight.
- Never leave young children alone with paraffin appliances.
- If your clothing catches fire, fall to the ground and roll to put out the flames (Stop, Drop and Roll). If someone else is on fire cover them with blanket.
- If a child accidentally swallows paraffin, don’t give him anything to eat or drink.
- Never make a child vomit as this forces paraffin/fumes into the lungs and causes pneumonia.
- Take the child to a clinic or hospital quickly.
- Never pour water on a fire caused by paraffin. Always keep a bucket of sand or a fire extinguisher ready at home.
Mbaulas/braziers (coal stoves) and fireplaces:
- Keep the room or house ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
- Put braziers on a solid flat surface.
- Clean the fireplace chimney to avoid carbon-soot build-up. The carbon-soot build-up prevents smoke from being released outside.
- Always extinguish open fires or flames when leaving the room/house.
- Always burn seasoned hardwoods to avoid lots of smoke.
- For cooking, use the appropriate pot size.
- Keep the brazier away from combustibles.
- Electrical power generators:
- Qualified electrician to connect all the power supply lines for domestic use (lighting, cooking and heating sources). Usage of inverters is highly recommended.
- Refill with the correct fuels.
- Refill while cold.
- Use correct tools like a funnel to avoid spillage of fuel.
- Use it in a well-ventilated area, away from easy burning materials.
Heaters:
Heaters are basically in three main categories: electrical, paraffin and gas.
When using any type of heater take the following into consideration:
- Placement of the heater should be centralised within the room away from any combustibles.
- Heaters should at all times be utilised in the presence of adults or a responsible person.
- Avoid leaving heaters switched on overnight while sleeping or during the day in the absence of anybody at home.
- Do not dry clothes on a heater. The practice is a potential fire hazard.
- Keep the room or house ventilated especially when using paraffin or gas heaters as they emit toxic fumes.
Electrical heaters:
- Avoid overloading circuits.
- Avoid self-connections and repairs.
- Self-made heaters and stoves made with empty tins are dangerous.
- Main circuit breakers should be regularly tested for operational purposes.
Electrical extension cords should be the appropriate length.
Avoid using coiled or twisted electrical extension cords.
When they heat up, they can become a potential fire hazard.
Candles:
- Cut the candle shorter.
- Use appropriate candle holders half filled with water/sand. Avoid plates or saucers.
- Put the candle in the centre of the table. Avoid putting it next to open windows.
- Place candles out of the reach of children.
Matches and lighters:
- Matches and lighters are not toys, keep them away children.
General:
- Avoid throwing hot cigarette butts out of vehicles. They can cause vehicle fires and veld fires.
- Smoke can obstruct the visibility of drivers and lead to accidents.
- Portable electrical appliances should be switched off during load shedding (for example hairdryers).
- Domestic electrical appliances should also be switched off during load shedding (for example televisions).
- High dry vegetation around buildings and fences can cause structural fires.
The making of fire breaks is highly recommended.
Keep the grass very low.
In case of burn wounds:
- Use cold water only and only cold water — nothing else for burn wounds.
- Medical burn shields are the only approved dressings to treat and cool burn wounds.
Important numbers:
- Emergency number: 10777 (national toll free number).
- 112 (cellphone emergency number).
- Life Threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency Line: 011 458- 0911.
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