Residents are advised to be extra cautious when dealing with household energy sources during the cold season.
Alternative energy sources are frequently used during load shedding and this can lead to properties being subjected to fire destruction.
“Vegetation is dry and prone to fire which will have a detrimental impact on the environment and could lead to loss of lives,” said William Ntladi, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni disaster and emergency management services.
“When veld fires appear next to a major route and properties, it can cause a number of serious issues, such as accidents.”
Take note of the following safety tips to avoid fire danger:
Gas stoves and gas heaters:
- Only approved gas appliances should be used.
- Keep the cylinder in an upright position at all times during transportation.
- Check the “O ring and gas pipe” regularly for wear and tear.
- Cylinders should be kept away from direct sunlight, rain, dust and any source of heat.
- Do not put the gas cylinder on hot surfaces like stoves or open flames.
- When cooking, keep the stove above the level of the cylinder.
- Place appliances on the centre of the table.
- When lighting the gas appliance, first light the match then turn on the gas.
- Never use a pot that is bigger than the size of the stove.
- Before using the cylinder check the leakage from the cylinder valve and other joints by applying soap water.
- Always use a cotton apron when cooking.
- Keep windows open to ventilate room or house at all times.
Cooking sources:
- If paraffin is not handled with extreme care, it can cause severe illness or death and can burn your skin.
- Do not use chemically contaminated containers when purchasing paraffin.
- Always use a childproof paraffin safety cap on the paraffin bottle.
- Never use cool-drink or fruit juice containers, as children can drink from them.
- If you spill paraffin on yourself, wash it off and change your clothes to avoid skin burn.
- Use the appropriate pot size on a paraffin stove.
- When pouring paraffin into a lamp or a stove, use a funnel not a cup.
- Always keep paraffin stoves and lamps on a flat surface so they do not fall off and start a fire.
Mbaulas/braziers (coal stoves and fireplaces):
- Keep the room or house ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
- Put braziers on a solid flat surface.
- Clean the fireplace chimney to avoid carbon soot build up.
Candles:
- Cut the candle shorter .
- Use appropriate candle holders half filled with sand or water.
- Do not use plates or saucers as candle holders.
- Put the candle on the centre of the table and avoid placing it next to open windows.
- Domestic electrical appliances should be switched off during load shedding.
Motorists:
- Avoid throwing burning cigarettes out of moving vehicles.
- These can cause vehicle fires and a high possibility of veld fires.
- Smoke can obstruct the visibility of drivers and can cause serious road accidents.
