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.
“As the temperature drops the risk of home, office, business and industrial fires increase,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
“In some instances lives are lost.
“To circumvent such tragedies vigilance is crucial from our communities.”
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With this in mind DEMS teams have been working hard to sensitise the community and teach residents how to be winter-wise.
“Leaving heat sources unmonitored seems to have become a common unsafe practice during winter.
“Everyone is advised to be extra cautious when dealing with energy and heat sources during this season,” Ntladi said.
DEMS have recorded a number of extreme, horrible and deadly incidents caused by unsafe acts and conditions – many that could have been avoided.
“As a caring department we say ‘be wise, be safe and stay alive’,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi also shared some useful winter safety tips:
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.
“Never use any other fuel except the one recommended by the manufacturer,” Ntladi urged.
• 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.
“Teach children that paraffin and matches shouldn’t be played with,” said Ntladi.
• Never refill the heater while in operation or hot and do not over fill it.
“Avoid spillages, use a funnel to refill,” Ntladi said.
• 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.
“Only registered dealers should refill gas cylinders,” said Ntladi.
• 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.
“It should have adequate clearance from combustible surfaces, and proper floor support and protection,” said Ntladi.
• 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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Ntladi reminded the community, “Most fire incidents are caused by negligence and lack of understanding on how to properly and safely use heat or energy sources.
“The attitude of the individual also contributes to the number of fires that are experienced within the informal settlements, residential, industrial and business environments.”
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