Winter season is fast approaching and cold weather conditions have been experienced already across the country in the past week.
The plea from the City of Ekurhuleni’s disaster and emergency management services is that people should be extra cautious when dealing with household energy sources.
The department supplied useful safety tips to communities in the effort to save lives and properties.
Safe usage of heaters
Leaving of heaters unmonitored is still a far too common practice by most of the people, either at home or in the workplace. People still believe that when they arrive at their offices or homes, they should find them warm already and subsequent to that, lots of properties and lives are lost due to fires.
Safety tips on use of heaters
* Heaters and air conditioners should be switched off in the absence of an adult.
* Never leave the heaters or air conditioners on overnight.
*Heaters should at all times be utilised in the presences of adults or responsible persons.
* Placement of the heater should be centralised within the room away from any combustibles.
* Switch off the heaters before going to sleep. Blankets can fall onto it and catch fire.
* Do not dry clothes by using a heater as this is a potential fire hazard.
*Keep the room or house ventilated when using paraffin heaters as they emit toxic fumes.
*Refill the paraffin heater prior to usage.
* Use the approved refilling equipment such as a liquid funnel.
* Any electrical repairs should be done by a qualified electrician.
* Gas cylinders should be refilled at the registered gas dealers.
* Avoid any gas leakage. Check the O-ring on the valve.
* Avoid using other pipes like hosepipes. Always use approved gas pipes.
Safe usage of a brazier “umbawula”
Many people are still using braziers as a source of heat, mostly in areas without electrical supply.
Braziers are used mostly for cooking and finally used as a heating source.
The dangers relating to its use is that it emits toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide which are the silent killers.
People in the room where the brazier is placed, don`t smell the gas. They then become unconscious and die.
The gas particles attach themselves to the circulatory system (haemoglobin) preventing oxygen from being circulated and as a result the patient could be unconscious or die, at worst.
Safety tips
* Keep the room or house adequately ventilated.
* Take the brazier outside when preparing to sleep.
* Never leave the brazier burning, always extinguish the coals with water when not in use.
In case of fire call the Emergency Services on the toll-free numbers, 10177 or 112. The life threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency line number is 011 458 0911.
When the electric heater has caught fire, switch off the power supply.
If paraffin heaters catch fire, use sand or a dry chemical powder fire extinguisher.
In the case of gas heaters, turn off the valve and use a damp cloth to put out the flames.
Once you are out of the house, stay out, never return back into the house or office.
