The SAWS (South African Weather Services) have issued an alert regarding the unusually elevated weather temperatures, due to the el nino weather pattern the country is currently experiencing.
The dry, windy conditions, with a low rainfall pattern, could lead to a high possibility of veld fires.
In the past few days, the metro’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) have experienced major fires in various informal settlements in areas such as Makause, Delport, Joe Slovo and Cinderella, and veld fires in the farming communities in Benoni.
The fires, which took place between September 26 and October 1, were precipitated by hot, dry, windy conditions and heat waves which have been experienced lately.
DEMS has noted a worrying trend of schools and formal dwellings being burned during this period, specifically Reiger Park Primary School in Boksburg, Entshonalanga Primary School in Tembisa and a residential property in Lambton.
The total number of structures affected is 202 schools, shacks and houses.
DEMS has issued the following fire safety measures to be followed:
- Veld fires:
- Reduction of fires in the open air during periods of high fire hazard, and the establishment of fire control committees to control fires, an alarm system, firefighting teams and grass-beaters to be organised in advance and plans prepared.
- Ensure that you have sufficient firebreaks, and a firebreak has to be wide enough and long enough to have a reasonable chance of preventing a veld fire from spreading to or from neighbouring land.
- Don’t discard hot cigarette butts in the veld.
- Don’t make open fires near dry grass/veld.
- Never leave any open flames unmonitored.
- Heat waves:
- Avoid direct sunlight by wearing a hat, and use sunscreen.
- Don’t leave children or pets in parked, locked vehicles.
- Stay in the shade/under shaded trees.
- Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
- Take frequent breaks if you are working outdoors.
- Avoid strenuous activities.
- Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
- Wear light, bright coloured clothes.
- Structural fires:
- Always have a fire extinguisher in the house as a precaution, and have it tested and inspected regularly.
- In the absence of a fire extinguisher, have buckets of sand and water to use in case of a fire outbreak.
- Install smoke detectors for early warning and detection of fires.
- Avoid overloading of plugs, switch off appliances when not in use or when going away.
- Close all doors within the house/offices in the absence of the family/somebody even when going on holiday to reduce chances of a fire spreading.
- Use candles correctly and safely; before going to sleep, blow out candles.
- Ensure that the gas, paraffin or electric stove is turned off when not in use.
- Keep garden hoses nearby to assist, should a fire break out.
- Don’t store highly flammable liquids and other hazardous materials in the kitchen or near a stove.
DEMS is always prepared to timeously respond to all incidents within the municipality.
Communities are also expected to assist in mitigating the occurrences of emergencies.
Over and above, DEMS has been presenting ongoing awareness campaigns, including winter awareness campaigns, which ended at the end of August, and is currently preparing for the summer awareness campaigns.
In case of emergencies call 10177 or 011 458-0911 or 112 from a cellphone.
Ensure that you have the emergency call centre telephone numbers saved and visible on your telephone or in your cellphone.
Speak clearly on the phone when reporting an emergency.
Provide the operator with all the details she/he requires.
Do not end the conversation until all questions are answered.
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