City calls for extra caution when using fire this winter

ETHEKWINI Municipality is urging people to exercise wariness and be on alert as fire incidents increase during winter.

City’s spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said that each year they usually respond to more than 6 000 fire incidents during this time of the year.

According to Sisilana, households continue to account for a substantial number of fire outbreaks.

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“eThekwini Municipality tops the list of municipalities that get affected by runaway fires, which are largely a result of the negligence of some of our residents. Fire outbreaks do not only result in damage to property but they also take lives.

“Illegal electricity connections and unattended fires are usually found to be reasons behind these disasters. For us to turn the tide against these calamities that have become synonymous with our city, members of the public need to play their part.”

She assured the public that emergency personnel are always on high alert to respond to any emergencies anywhere in the city at all times.

However, Sisilana said their success in saving lives and minimising damage to property hinges upon the public heeding winter-season safety messages from the City.

“We urge residents to be cautious during this time, more especially when the country is contending with load-shedding,” she said.

Tips to help prevent fire outbreaks:

• Ensure that every fire is always attended to once started.
• Every fire must be extinguished properly with water after using it.
• No fire must burn throughout the night unattended.
• Smokers must refrain from throwing cigarette butts through the windows of moving cars.
• Ensure that all cigarette butts are extinguished properly before disposal.

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