Ensure fire safety

“We are appealing to residents to be extra cautious when dealing with household energy sources. Temperatures are dropping drastically; people have started using different means and ways of household energy sources to keep themselves warm,” he said.

Mr Ntladi issued several fire safety tips for residents trying to keep warm:

Heaters

There are three basic heater types:

• Electrical heaters.
• Paraffin heaters.
• Gas heaters.

It is important to take the following into consideration when using a heater:

The heater should not be placed near combustible objects.

Heaters should operated in the presence of an adult or responsible person at all times.

Avoid leaving heaters switched on overnight.

Do not dry clothes with a heater. The practice is a potential fire hazard.

Keep the room or house ventilated, especially when using paraffin or gas heaters as they emit toxic fumes.

Electrical Heaters:

• Avoid over-loading circuits.
• Avoid self-connections and repairs.
• Self-made heaters and stoves with empty tins are extremely dangerous.
• The main circuit breakers should be regularly tested for operational purposes.
•  The relevant length size of electrical extension cord should be used. Avoid using coiled or twisted electrical extension cords. When it heats up, it becomes a potential fire hazard.
• No Electrical cables under the carpets.

Electrical Power Generators:

• Refill with the correct fuel.
• Refill while cold.
•  Use the correct tools like funnels to avoid spillage.
• Use it in a well-ventilated area.
• Adult or parental guidance is important.

Paraffin:

• Use only approved, clear and clean paraffin in the appliance(s). Avoid mixing it with other flammable liquids.
•  Use approved containers or any suitable containers marked “Paraffin” with a safety cap.
• Store paraffin away from the reach of children.
• Never use cool-drink or fruit juice containers as children can drink from them and suffer from paraffin poisoning.
• Keep the appliance(s) away from the reach of children.
• Operate away from other flammable liquids or gases.
• Always ventilate the room or home.
• When refilling, use the appropriate funnel to avoid spillage.
• Avoid refilling while hot as it is a potential fire hazard.
• Keep paraffin stoves and lamps away from open windows, or curtains.
• Use the appropriate pot size on the paraffin stove when cooking.

Gas: Stoves and Heaters

• Only approved Gas Appliances should be used.
• Cylinder should be pressure tested and approved.
• Avoid using garden hoses in place of the approved SABS gas pipe.
• Place the appliances on the centre of the table.
• Keep the cylinder in an upright position at all times even during transportation.
• Avoid over-filled cylinders. Only registered dealers are allowed to refill the cylinders.
• Don`t put the Gas cylinder on hot surfaces like stoves.
• Bubbles are indications of gas leakage.
• Check the o-ring and gas pipe regularly for wear and tear.
• Keep windows open to ventilate the room or house.
• When lighting the gas appliance, first light the match then turn the gas on.

Candles:

• Cut the candle shorter.
• Use the appropriate candle holders, half filled with water. Avoid using plates.
• Put the candle in the centre of the table. Avoid putting it next to an open window.
• Place it out of reach of children.
• Braziers (coal stoves) and Fire Places:
• Keep the room or house ventilated. This will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Put the brazier on a solid, flat surface.
• Clean the chimney to avoid carbon soot from building up.
• Always extinguish open fires or flames when leaving the room or house.
• Matches and lighters:
• Matches and lighters are not toys. Keep them away from the reach of children.

Motorists:

• Avoid throwing hot cigarette butts out of moving vehicles. They can cause vehicle fires and increase the chance of veld fires.

In case of burns:

• Use cold water to wash the burn. Do not use warm or hot water.
• Medical burn shields are the only approved dressing to treat and cool burn wounds.
• For fire awareness training, contact the Office of Emergency Planning on 011 999-5491 or call the emergency number 10177. Residents can also call the National toll free number 112 from a cellular phone. For life-threatening emergencies, use the Ekurhuleni Emergency Line 011 458-0911.