City of Johannesburg EMS warns of heat wave dangers
Members of the community are cautioned as the hot, dry and windy weather also presents the threat of veld fires.
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning that most parts of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) will experience hot weather throughout the week until the weekend, with temperatures persistently rising to above 37 degrees in many areas.
This current heat wave means that most residents will be exposed to higher temperatures than usual.
According CoJ EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, exposure to this kind of heat can easily lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
Members of the community are cautioned as the hot, dry and windy weather also presents the threat of veld fires. They are discouraged from dumping their burning cigarette butts in dry grass or leaving open fires unmonitored.
Here are some heat-wave safety tips
• Keep indoors if possible.
• Keep cool by taking lots of fluids and wearing light clothing.
• Protect young children by letting them wear hats and sunscreen.
• Stay away from direct sunlight especially between 11:00 and 15:00.
• Cool yourself in your local municipal swimming pools with supervising lifeguards to avoid drowning incidents.
Tips to survive the heat
• Avoid direct sunlight by wearing a hat and using sunscreen.
• Don’t leave children or pets in parked locked vehicles.
• Stay indoors or in the shade.
• Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
• Take frequent breaks if you are working outdoors.
• Avoid alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
• Wear light, brightly coloured clothes.
For those who will swim to cool off in the heat, here are some safety tips:
• Swimming pools should be covered with a safety net at all times while not in use.
• Install a fence around a swimming pool.
• The fence around the swimming pool should be high enough to prevent children from climbing over it. The gate must always be locked if not in use.
• Use your local municipal swimming pools which have life guards on site.
City of Johannesburg EMS) is urging residents to stay safe during the heatwave. For any life-threatening emergencies the public is advised to call 011 375 5911 on the Telkom landline and 112 on a cell phone.
