Stay safe this winter – be wise and stay alive

Winter brings its own unique set of safety challenges to everyone, and it is just around the corner. The temperatures are beginning to drop in many parts of the country, directing many people to turn on their heaters to keep warm. As temperatures drop, the risk for fire to break out in our homes, offices, businesses, increases.

To prevent such emergencies and disasters from occurring, the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) is sensitising communities to be winter-wise and extra cautious.

Ekurhuleni emergency services spokesperson William Ntladi has warned members of the community to to exercise caution and to avoid practices that create opportunities for fire to break out.

“As a caring department, we say be wise, be safe and stay alive,”said Ntladi.

He said preserving lives and properties should entail warning communities to be careful when using paraffin heaters and other fuel burning appliances which should not be used without proper room ventilation.

“This includes braziers and coal stoves. They produce deadly fumes and gases. Only use fuel recommended by accredited manufacturers. Be sure the heater is in good working conditions, and has emergency shut off valve in case it is tips over.

Some of the tips include the following:

• Keep the paraffin/fuel in a safe approved container away from children, in a well-ventilated area and outside the house.

• Always use childproof paraffin safety cap on your paraffin bottle, and keep matches away from children.

• Never refill the heater while in operation or hot. Do not overfill it. Avoid spillages; use a funnel to refill. Place the heater away from furniture.

• When using gas heaters and stoves, only approved gas appliances should be used.

• Always keep the cylinder in an upright position, even during transportation, storage or during use.

• Cylinders should be kept away from direct sunlight, rain, dust and any heat source.

• Do not put the gas cylinder on hot surfaces such as stoves and open flames.

• When cooking, keep the stove above the level of the cylinder. Place the appliances on the centre of the table.

• When lighting the gas appliance, first light the match/lighter then turn the cylinder valve on.

• For a gas stove, never use a pot that is too big than the size of the stove. Always keep windows open to ventilate the room or house.

• Avoid using garden hoses in place of the approved SABS/SANS gas pipes.

• Avoid over filled cylinders. Only registered dealers can refill the cylinders. After use, close the supply source first before the buttons at the appliance.

• For the fire places these should be installed properly by the qualified technician. It should have adequate clearance from combustible surface, and proper floor support and protection. Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.

• Do not use flammable liquids to start the fire or accelerate flames. Always burn seasoned hardwoods to avoid lots of smoke in the room.

• Keep glass in front of the fire place opening, to prevent sparks from jumping out and unwanted material from going in.

• When using heaters, users must be aware of the general safety rules of heaters, placement of the heater should be centralised within the room away from any combustibles. Heaters should always be used in the presences of adults or responsible person.

• Avoid leaving heaters switched on overnight while sleeping or during day time in the absence of anybody at home with the intention of keeping the room or house warm.

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

• Never operate any household energy (heat) source under the influence of intoxicating substances. If you don`t know how to operate it, leave it. Always extinguish open fires or flames when leaving the room/ house.

Ntladi warned: “Most of fire incidents are caused by negligence and lack of understanding towards heat energy sources. The attitude of the individual also contributes to the number of fires that are experienced at informal and formal settlements, industries and business environments.

In emergency use the National Toll-Free Number 10177 or call Life Threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency Line on 011 458- 0911.