Beware the cold weather could bring more fires
DEMS warns that the cold weather brings with it a number of potential fire risks.
The dry spell which has been accompanied by strong winds and very low temperatures means there could be an increase in structural fires and massive veld fires.
While fires are a danger on their own, they promulgate a host of challenges for drivers when they occur near major roads and national highways.
In past years, the metro has had to service vehicle pile-ups on the highways of Ekurhuleni and other major roads where lives were lost due to veld fires.
“The winds have been blowing strongly and any small open flame or heat on dry vegetation has the potential to influence the rapid growth of and spread of a fire over vast areas,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
“Heavy dense smoke along the major roads and highways will reduce visibility.
“Drivers should immediately reduce their speed and exercise extreme caution in that specific situation.”
Some obvious causes of such veld fires along highways and major roads are lit cigarette buds being thrown out of windows by motorists and passengers alike and broken glass bottles which can act like a magnifying glass setting vegetation alight.
Deliberate and accidental causes include spontaneous combustion of decomposing material.
The resulting fires are not only a threat to human life but also to animal life and the environment.
“When driving should visibility become very poor, don’t attempt to drive through thick smoke or flames as the potential of an accident occurring becomes high.
“Due to poor visibility motorists can run off the road, collide with stationary obstacles, such as other vehicles, or become involved in head-on-collisions with other vehicles attempting to drive through from the opposite direction,” said Ntladi.
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The freezing cold weather conditions can also result in accidental deaths due to the use of various warming techniques.
“Recently lives were lost in Ekurhuleni due to incidents of toxic gas inhalation.
“It is still a common practice for people to go to bed with lit braziers, coal stoves, fireplaces and braai stands, or even to leave their electric stoves on,” said Ntladi.
“When blankets fall on top of a stove, they can catch alight and produce toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide.
“Inhalation of such gases causes suffocation and ultimately death.”
Ntladi added that many domestic fires are caused by electrical wiring through short circuits and illegal connections.
“Heaters are still placed near combustible items and left unmonitored which is an unsafe practice.
“Unattended air conditioners, running throughout the night domestically or at offices, often cause unnecessary fires.
“All heating sources should be switched off in the absence of adults,” he said.
Children playing with matches and lighters are also a major source of house fires according to Ntladi.
“When these fall into the hands of children they become a significant factor in fire fatalities and property destruction.
“Parents need to keep such items out of the reach of children,” said Ntladi.
In the case of an emergency contact DEMS by calling:
• 10177: National toll free number.
• 112: From a cellphone.
• 011 458 0911: Life threatening Ekurhuleni emergency line.
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