City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), in collaboration with Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Center (PDMC), encourages residents to safely use heating sources, to prevent property destruction and the loss of life.

As part of an ongoing winter awareness campaign, DEMS and PDMC officers engaged and shared safety messages with members of the public in Kwa-Thema.

“Annually, members of the public lose their properties due to fire-related incidents and, in the worst case scenario, lives are lost.

“Many people still use braziers as a main source of keeping warm and other domestic heat energy sources.

“Coal stoves, makeshift appliances and fire places are in great demand,” said DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi.

“Many other communities use portable heaters, either electric, LPG or paraffin operated. Safety is still of great importance to all.”

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Both DEMS and PDMC shared the following safety tips:

• Ensure that the fire place or coal stove’s chimney is soot free to allow smoke free passage.
• Keep doors or windows partly open for ventilation. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide are extremely toxic gasses emitted from burnt fuel (coals and wood). Extinguish the fire before going to bed.
• In some instances, braziers and coal stoves are used for cooking. Communities are advised to use the correct size pot and the brazier should be placed on a horizontal and solid surface to prevent tipping over.
• Never leave children alone around any types of heating sources without responsible adult supervision.
• Keep heaters at least a meter away from combustibles such as bedding, curtains and tablecloths.
• Refuel paraffin heaters and power generators while cold.
  Use of portable power generators:
• Generators should be outside in a well ventilated area. Exhaust fumes contain toxic and lethal gases.

Use a fuel/ liquid funnel while refueling and control to prevent spillage. Spilled fuel (petrol or diesel) ignites quicker due to their flammability rate.

• Use the correct fuel as advised by the manufacturer.

“Heat energy sources such as air conditioners predominantly are electric operated. The common practice is people leave them running unmonitored overnight, like portable heaters,” added Ntladi.

“Switch them off in the absence of responsible adult supervision.”

In case of any life-threatening emergencies, CoE can be contacted on 011 458 0911.

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