How to stay safe this winter
Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during winter will make a difference in staying safe and alive.
With the winter season, also known as the fire season, just beginning, it is important to take precautions to avoid falling victim to fire dangers.
Some areas in the Kathorus area have already witnessed fire accidents that caused people to lose their belongings, left them homeless and in the worst-case scenario, some lost their lives.
Recently another fire incident occurred at Thokoza where a Kaizer Chiefs supporter from the Thokoza branch lost her home and everything in it after her shack caught fire. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Kaizer Chiefs supporters in the Ekurhuleni Region donated a new shack and blankets to help the family recover from this tragic loss.
According to the Ekurhuleni DEMS district manager, William Ntladi, many lives and properties are lost due to accidental fires while trying to stay warm in freezing temperatures.
He said understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during the cold winter season will make a difference in staying safe and alive.
“Although the knowledge and understanding of fire chemistry will not eliminate risks of fire development as some fires are caused deliberately, it will help to reduce the risks of loss of lives and properties,” said Ntladi.
He said in the absence of electricity, many people use alternative means of heating, lighting and cooking.
Winter safety tips
Ntladi warned residents to switch off their electricity meter during load-shedding and to switch it back on once power has been restored, to avoid a power surge.
Heaters:
• Never leave the heaters unmonitored. This includes even when you are sleeping.
• Never leave children alone without a responsible adult around heaters.
• Place heaters at least a meter away from combustibles. This includes bedding, curtains, tablecloths and furniture among others.
• When using gas heaters or fireplaces, ensure adequate ventilation.
• Always switch off the heaters, fireplaces and air conditioners when you leave the room at home or office.
Braziers:
• Ensure that coals are burning adequately without smoke emission before placing them in the house.
• Ensure there is adequate ventilation to avoid toxic gases to harm anybody.
• Take the brazier outside while going to bed.
In case of an emergency, call the city`s life-threatening emergency call centre at 011 458 0911 or 10177 or 112 numbers for the dispatch of the nearest rescue team.
ALSO READ: Grieving family warns community about house fires caused by load-shedding
