Keep safe in the cold
While fires are a danger on their own, they pose a host of challenges for drivers when they occur near major roads and freeways.
“In the past, the City of Ekurhuleni has experienced vehicle pileups on freeways and other major roads in the region whereby lives were lost because of veld fires,” said Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi.
“Strong winds and any small open flame or heat on dry vegetation has the potential to influence the rapid growth and spread of fire along wide areas.” Heavy dense smoke along the major roads and freeways reduces visibility and drivers should immediately reduce their speed and exercise extreme caution in these conditions.
“While driving and visibility becomes very poor, don’t attempt to drive through thick smoke or flames,” said Ntladi.
“Due to poor visibility, motorists may either run off the road, collide with stationary obstacles such as other vehicles, or be involved in headon-collisions with other vehicles attempting to drive through from the opposite direction.”
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The country experienced freezing cold conditions this week and Ntladi urged residents to exercise caution when dealing with household energy sources used for cooking, lighting or keeping warm. “Just recently, lives were lost around the city due to incidents of toxic gas inhalation,” he said. “It is still common practice for some people to go to bed with lit coal stoves, lit braziers, lit fire places, lit braai stands or stoves still on.
“Heaters are still being placed near combustibles and left unmonitored, which is an unsafe practice. “Unattended air conditioners running throughout the night at home or at the office cause unnecessary fires.
“All heating sources should be switched off in the absence of adults.” According to Ntladi, children playing with matches and lighters are a major source of house fires.
“When in the hands of children, they are a significant factor in fire fatalities and property destruction.
“Parents need to keep all such items away from children.”
In case of an emergency, the following numbers can be used to contact Ekurhuleni Emergency Services: • National Toll Free number: 10177 • Cellphone: 112 • Life Threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency Line: 011 458 0911
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