Winter heating dangers highlighted after fire kills six

A tragic fire in Kwa-Thema on Monday morning claimed the lives of six people, prompting renewed calls for caution as winter approaches.

In response, the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has shared crucial fire safety tips to help residents stay safe during the high-risk winter fire season.

Many lives and properties are lost because of fires caused accidentally while trying to counteract freezing temperatures. Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during winter will make a difference in staying safe and alive.

Although the knowledge and understanding of fire chemistry will not eliminate risks of fire development, because some are deliberately caused, this will help reduce the risks of life and property loss and of developing severe lung infections when exposed to smoke inhalation, which will ultimately require hospitalisation. It is therefore a good precautionary measure to engage in fire safety practices.

“In the absence of electricity, many people use alternative means of heating, lighting and cooking. All these spell fire danger to life and property”.

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The golden rule:
During winter, there is an increase in the usage of heaters. An alternative safe method to keep warm is wearing warm clothes and wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.

Heaters:
• Never leave the heaters unmonitored. This includes when you are sleeping.
• Never leave children alone without a responsible adult around heaters.
• Place heaters at least a meter away from combustibles. (bedding, curtains, tablecloths, or furniture)
• When using gas heaters or a fireplace, ensure adequate ventilation.
• Always switch off heaters, fireplaces and air conditioners when leaving the room (home or office).

Braziers:
• Ensure coals are burning adequately without smoke emission before placing it into the house.
• Ensure adequate ventilation so that carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other toxic gases do not harm anybody.
• Take the brazier outside when going to bed.

In case of an emergency, call the city`s Life Threatening Emergency Call Centre on (011) 458 0911, 10177, or 112 numbers who will dispatch the nearest rescue team.

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