As temperatures continue to drop, residents are being encouraged to take extra care when using heating appliances, with the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) warning that fire incidents typically increase during the winter months.

EMS media officer Xolile Khumalo said the increased use of heating devices and open flames during winter contributes to a higher risk of residential fires.

“Fire incidents usually increase in winter because residents use more heating devices and open flames,” she said.

According to Khumalo, unattended heaters, overloaded electrical plugs, unsafe paraffin stoves and braziers, candles, open flames and flammable materials placed too close to heat sources are among the most common causes of winter fires.

She said residents should also be aware of the risks associated with unsafe heaters and braziers, poor ventilation, overloaded electrical sockets, children near heating sources, and unstable candles or paraffin appliances.

To reduce the risk of fires, Khumalo advised residents to place heaters and other heating devices on stable surfaces and keep them away from curtains, bedding, furniture and other flammable materials.

“Never leave heating devices unattended, and never use braziers indoors. Candles should be placed in secure holders and extinguished before going to sleep,” she said.

Khumalo encouraged residents to use heating devices safely, keep children away from flames and hot surfaces, avoid overloading electrical sockets, store flammable materials away from heat sources and ensure that households have an emergency escape plan.

She added that if a fire breaks out, residents should evacuate immediately without stopping to collect their belongings, call emergency services and only return once firefighters have confirmed that it is safe to do so.

Speaking on common mistakes that people make during winter that increase the risk of fires include leaving heaters or candles unattended, using damaged electrical cords, placing heaters too close to flammable materials, sleeping with braziers or paraffin stoves still burning, using illegal electricity connections and operating heating devices indoors without proper ventilation.

She added that EMS continues to promote fire safety through winter awareness campaigns, including community outreach programmes, school visits, public education initiatives and information shared through traditional and social media platforms.

Khumalo also urged parents and caregivers to teach children not to play with matches, lighters, candles or heaters, to keep these items out of their reach to keep them safe from fires and to ensure they know to alert an adult and call for help in an emergency.

While EMS has noted that fire incidents generally increase during winter, Khumalo said statistics for the current season will only be available once winter has ended.

She urged residents to use heating and cooking appliances responsibly, switch them off after use and never leave open flames unattended to avoid fires while keeping themselves warm this winter.