17 May 2016
As the winter season is setting in, residents need to be aware of vital winter tips to ensure their safety.
Tshwane often experiences strong winds during the winter months, from May to August and this makes structure, veld and rubbish fires a serious concern. Veld fires spread rapidly, especially in windy conditions. The City’s Emergency Services appeals to members of the public, especially those who live in thatched-roof houses or have thatched lapa’s close to open fields, to clean up the areas around their property.
People living on farms and smallholdings are also warned to take extra care when making firebreaks and doing veld pre-burning on windy days. Owners who have large open areas covered with grass and rubbish need to clean these areas regularly to prevent fires from starting and spreading to other properties. Children must also be taught that fire is dangerous and not something to play with.
These following safety tips kick-start Emergency Services’ winter awareness campaign which will target children and communities at large.
When any roadway or freeway is engulfed by smoke, motorists are urged to do the following:
• Reduce speed and switch on hazard lights to warn the oncoming traffic.
• Close the car windows and air inlets to prevent smoke inhalation.
Tips on ensuring safety at home (paraffin tips)
• Keep paraffin out of sight and reach of young children
• It is advisable to store paraffin it in its own special bottle and to avoid using a cold drink bottle or milk container.
• Always use a funnel and not a cup to pour paraffin, and keep the funnel and the paraffin locked away after use.
If a child swallows paraffin, act quickly by doing the following:
• Take the child to a clinic or hospital immediately.
• Do not give the child anything to eat or drink such as medicine, home remedies, food or milk.
• Do not make the child vomit.
• If the paraffin spills on clothing, remove the clothing to avoid breathing in paraffin fumes, because one drop of paraffin in the lungs can cause serious damage.
Keep the air in your home clean and safe
• Let fresh air into the room when you are using a paraffin appliance because fresh air clears the bad fumes.
• Paraffin should be clear in colour and uncontaminated with any other fuel such as petrol or diesel.
• It is good investment to purchase the safest stoves and heaters available.
Tips on lighting candles and keeping your family safe
• If you light a candle, a grown-up must stay in the room with it.
• Blow out all candles before going to sleep or leaving the room.
• Keep candles at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Always use stable candle holders. If possible, use a hurricane glass to protect the open flame.
• Place candles where they will not be knocked down or blown over and out of reach of pets and young children.
• In the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly. If you have children in your home, store candles, matches and lighters out of their sight and reach in a locked cabinet.
• Do not allow children to keep or use candles or incense in their rooms.
• To eliminate the risk of an open candle flame, use battery-powered candles whenever possible, especially when you combine candles with greenery or other decorations.
General safety hints to follow at home
• Check the valves and connections of gas appliances to make sure that they are in good working order before igniting them
• Use heaters with great caution and unplug them before going to sleep or leaving the area where they are used
• Keep gas cylinders in a well-ventilated area away from any danger
• Have electric wires installed by an approved electrician and never allow the wires to run underneath carpets
• Unplug all unused electrical appliances when they will be left unattended for a long period. Switch off geysers and stoves at the main switch
• Clear unnecessary waste or compost heaps when a property is left unattended for a long time.
• Store flammable liquids in a cool ventilated area to avoid explosions
• Cover swimming pools with safety nets when unattended to prevent drowning
• Install smoke detectors in the house and have a fire extinguisher at hand for use in an emergency
• Extinguish open fires before leaving an area
• Practice escape drills in order to be prepared in case of an emergency
• Keep matches and lighters away from children
• Emergency numbers should be accessible at all times
• Switch off all heating devices such as electric blankets, heaters and air-conditioners once you leave an area
• Never overload wall sockets, because this might start a fire.
• Never leave small children at home without adult supervision, not even for short periods
• No person is allowed to set fire to grass. Remember, arson is a criminal offence
For emergencies, call 10177 or 012 310 6300/6400
