#ColdFront: Residents urged to use warming devices safely
JOBURG – Residents are warned of looming cold front and urged to use warming devices carefully.
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of a significant drop in temperature this Monday afternoon (2 July).
The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) has taken note of this warning with concern as it is especially directed at most parts of Gauteng.
According to the City’s EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, this means that most residents will be exposed to extremely cold temperatures. This will force them to use heating and lighting appliances to try and warm themselves and these appliances might be dangerous if they are used unsafely.
Mulaudzi said they will remain on high alert to make sure that they are able to respond to any emergency which might occur. “The main focus will be on our 189 informal settlements… since they are the most vulnerable to fire incidents when we have cold weather conditions due to the heating devices they use.”
The City of Johannesburg Disaster Management Centre will be fully operational throughout the weekend and disaster management monitoring teams have been dispatched to all seven regions of the City to monitor any eventuality which might occur, he said.
“We also want to urge all our residents who are within the formal residential areas not to leave heaters unattended while in use to avoid fire incidents.”
Candles
- Keep candles away from children
- A child should not be left unattended in a room with a candle
- Store candles, matches and lighters away from the reach of children
- A candle should not be used to light stoves
- A candle should not be used in a confined space.
Braziers or Imbawula
- Use it in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation, before you go to bed, take it outside.
Paraffin
- Put your paraffin stove on a flat surface where it can’t fall or get knocked over
- Use safe containers to store paraffin eg safety cap bottles.
Before you go to bed or out
- Never go to bed or out while a candle or paraffin lamp is still burning
- Switch off heaters and stoves at the plug before going to bed or out
- Always put out cigarettes carefully. Do not smoke in bed.
For any life-threatening emergencies, residents can call 10177 on a Telkom landline or 112 on their Cell phone or 011 375 5911.
