DEMS releases winter safety tips
“Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during the cold winter season will make a difference in staying safe and alive."
As the winter season approaches, Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) reminds residents to take extra precautions.
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“Many lives and properties are lost due to fires caused accidentally while trying to counteract the extreme freezing temperatures,” said DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi.
“Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during the cold winter season will make a difference in staying safe and alive.
“Although the knowledge and understanding of fire chemistry will not completely eliminate risks of fire development as others are deliberately caused, they will help to reduce the risks of life and property lost, inclusive of developing severe lung infections for those exposed to smoke inhalation which will ultimately require hospitalisation.
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“It is therefore a good precautionary measure to engage in fire safety practices.
“In the absence of electricity, many people use alternative means of heating, lighting and cooking. All these spell fire dangers to both life and property.”
Heaters
• Never leave the heaters unmonitored especially when you are sleeping.
• Never leave children alone around heaters.
• Place heaters at least a meter away from combustibles such as bedding, curtains, tablecloths and furniture.
• When using gas heaters or fireplaces ensure there is adequate ventilation.
• Always switch off the heaters and air conditioners when leaving a room.
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Braziers
• Ensure that coals are burning adequately without smoke emission before placing them in the house.
• Ensure that there is adequate ventilation such that carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other toxic gases don’t harm.
• Take the brazier outside when going to bed.
In case of an emergency, call the city`s life-threatening emergency call centre on 011 458 0911.
Alternatively, call 10177 or 112.
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