Heatwave hits Gauteng
Residents are warned after the worst heatwave is expected to hit Gauteng.
The South African weather services have issued a warning message that most parts of Gauteng will receive persistent high temperatures throughout this week until this weekend, with temperatures persistently high to over 37 degrees.
⚠️ALERT: BLISTERING HEAT ON TUESDAY!
🔥INTENSE HEATWAVE🔥
Tuesday🌤17|36°C
Wednesday🌤15|31°C
Thursday☀️15|33°C
Friday⛅️15|33°C☂️21%
Sat🌤13|28°C#JHBWeather🔥INTENSE HEATWAVE🔥
Tuesday🌤19|38°C
Wednesday🌤17|33°C
Thursday☀️17|35°C
Friday⛅️17|35°C☂️23%
Sat🌤15|30°C#PTAWeather— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) October 4, 2022
According to Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, this current heatwave means that most of the joburgers will be exposed to much hotter weather than on other days, exposure to this kind of heat can easily lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
Here are some heat wave safety tips
- keep indoors if possible
2. keep cool by taking lots of fluids and wearing light clothing
3. Protect young children by wearing hats and sunscreen
4. Stay away from direct sunlight, especially between 11 h00 morning and 15h00 afternoon
5. Cool yourself in your local municipal swimming pools with supervising Life Guards to avoid drowning incidents
Possibility of veld fires
The hot dry and windy weather also presents the threat of veld fires and people are discouraged from dumping their burning cigarette butt’s in dry grass or leaving open fires unmonitored.
Tips to survive the heat
1. Avoid direct sunlight by wearing a hat and use sunscreen
2. Don’t leave children or pets in parked locked vehicles
3. Stay in or under the shade
4. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration
5. Take frequent breaks if you are working outdoors
6. Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks
7. Wear light bright coloured clothes.
For those who will be tempted to swim to cool off the heat, here are some safety tips
1. Swimming pools should be covered with a safety net all the time while not in use
2. Instal a fence around a swimming pool
3. The fence around the swimming pool should be high. Enough to prevent children from climbing over it and it must always be locked if not in use
4. Use your local municipal swimming pools which have Lifeguards on site
Stay safe during this period of a heatwave for any life-threatening emergencies call 0113755911 on Telkom landline and 112 on your cellphone.
