Tshwane emergency services urge for fire safety
Residents are urged to use heating appliances responsibly to avoid fire tragedies.
As the cold season grips Pretoria, Tshwane Emergency Services has issued a stern warning to residents about the dangers of unsafe heating practices.
With temperatures steadily dropping, many households are turning to gas heaters, paraffin stoves, braziers (mbaola), electric heaters, and even open flames to stay warm.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Tebogo Maake said however these methods – if used incorrectly – could lead to disaster.
He emphasised the urgency of staying fire-conscious during the chilly months.
“Every winter, we respond to multiple incidents involving house fires caused by unsafe heating practices.”
Maake said these incidents are preventable if basic safety guidelines are followed.
According to Maake, fires in the winter months often result in tragic injuries, significant property loss, and even fatalities, many of which stem from unattended flames or overloaded electrical systems.
He has issued the following key fire safety tips to help prevent household fires:
– Keep heaters away from curtains, bedding, furniture, and other flammable materials.
– Never leave children unattended near any heating source or open flame.
– Avoid illegal electricity connections; these are a major cause of fires and electrocution.
– Do not overload plugs or extension cords with multiple appliances.
– Never leave a mbaola or coal fire burning overnight without supervision.
– Do not use water to extinguish paraffin or electrical fires; use sand or a dry chemical powder (DCP) fire extinguisher instead.
Maake also highlighted the importance of community involvement in local fire awareness campaigns, where the core message is clear: “Be Fire Safe”.
“Fire safety is a shared responsibility.
We urge all community members to familiarise themselves with these tips and share them with their neighbours, especially in informal settlements where the risk is higher,” Maake added.
He also reminded residents to remain calm and provide accurate information when reporting a fire or rescue emergency.
The public can call 107 (toll-free) or 012 358 6300/6400 for assistance.
“Knowing your location and providing a correct contact number could save critical seconds in an emergency response,” said Maake.
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