Intense cold front to hit Gauteng later this week
The significant drop in temperatures means that most of the residents will be forced to use heating and lighting appliances to try and warm themselves
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning that most parts of Gauteng will be hit by an intense cold front late this week, resulting in minimum temperatures dropping below 0°.
Robert Mulaudzi, the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) Emergency Management Services’ (EMS) spokesperson said, “We have noted with concern the warning message from the SAWS that most parts of Gauteng, including the City of Johannesburg will have significant drops in temperatures from Friday, June going into Saturday, 13 June.”
❄Intense #coldfront expected on Wednesday into Thursday (10-11 June 2020).
⚠️Media Release⚠️: Intense cold front expected to hit parts of South Africa. pic.twitter.com/ZzNARdI1pb
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 8, 2020
He added that the CoJ EMS Disaster Management Centre will be fully operational throughout the weekend, with Disaster Management Monitoring teams dispatched to all seven regions of the City to monitor any eventuality.
“CoJ EMS will remain on high alert to ensure we are able to respond to any emergency which might occur. The main focus will be on our 189 informal settlements throughout the city since they are the most vulnerable to fire incidents in cold weather. The heating devices they use are left unattended most of the times,” he said.
The significant drop in temperatures means that most of the residents will be forced to use heating and lighting appliances to try and warm themselves. These appliances might be dangerous if they are used unsafely.
“We also want to urge all our residents throughout the city to continue to monitor all heating devices, including paraffin stoves, heaters, and candles, and not leave them unattended while in use so that we can prevent fires at home during this cold front,” Mulaudzi concluded.
Here are some safety tips to follow when using heating devices:
Candles
1. Keep candles away from children.
2. A child should not be left unattended in a room with a candle.
3. Store candles, matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
4. A candle should not be used to light stoves.
5. A candle should not be used in a confined space.
Braizers or imbawula
Use them in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation. Take them outside before you go to bed.
Paraffin
1. Put paraffin stoves on a flat surface where it can’t fall or get knocked over.
2. Use safe containers to store paraffin, e.g. bottles with safety caps.
Before you go to bed or out
1. Never go to bed or out with a candle or paraffin lamp still burning.
2. Switch off heaters and stoves at the plug before going to bed or out.
3. Always put out cigarettes carefully. Do not smoke in bed.
For any life-threatening emergencies call 10177 on a Telkom landline, or 112 on your cellphone, or 011 375 5911.
