Gauteng residents urged to be safe as cold front sweeps through SA
City of Johannesburg’s emergency services warns residents to use all heating devices safely and not to leave them unattended
20 September 2024 - 11:29
by Staff Writer
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The SA Weather Service (Saws) on Thursday issued a level 6 warning for disruptive snow, rains and damaging winds as a cold front sweeps over parts of the country. Picture: 123RF/PETER BERNIK
Gauteng residents have been warned to stay safe as the country experiences cold weather over the next few days.
The SA Weather Service (Saws) on Thursday issued a level 6 warning for disruptive snow, rains and damaging winds as a cold front sweeps over parts of the country.
The City of Johannesburg’s emergency services said it noted the alert, which meant residents within the metro could “be tempted to use all sorts of heating devices to try to warm themselves” during the cold weather.
“We urge all our residents to use all heating devices (heaters, imbawula, paraffin stoves and candles) safely and not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during the extremely cold temperatures.
“We have our disaster management monitoring teams in all seven regions of the city, together with all our 29 fire station crews, on high alert to ensure we effectively respond to all emergencies which might occur during the cold front.”
The City of Tshwane urged residents to be cautious by observing precautionary measures. These included contacting emergency numbers if there was danger of a fire breaking out, ensuring fires were extinguished before sleeping and not using fuels “that are not designed for your heating unit”.
“Never leave children unattended near a burning candle or fire [and] make sure that all candles are placed in safe candleholders,” said the city’s Lindsay Mnguni.
“Never leave an imbawula or a coal fire to burn overnight without supervision. Extinguish paraffin fires with sand or a fire extinguisher.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Gauteng residents urged to be safe as cold front sweeps through SA
City of Johannesburg’s emergency services warns residents to use all heating devices safely and not to leave them unattended
Gauteng residents have been warned to stay safe as the country experiences cold weather over the next few days.
The SA Weather Service (Saws) on Thursday issued a level 6 warning for disruptive snow, rains and damaging winds as a cold front sweeps over parts of the country.
The City of Johannesburg’s emergency services said it noted the alert, which meant residents within the metro could “be tempted to use all sorts of heating devices to try to warm themselves” during the cold weather.
“We urge all our residents to use all heating devices (heaters, imbawula, paraffin stoves and candles) safely and not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during the extremely cold temperatures.
“We have our disaster management monitoring teams in all seven regions of the city, together with all our 29 fire station crews, on high alert to ensure we effectively respond to all emergencies which might occur during the cold front.”
The City of Tshwane urged residents to be cautious by observing precautionary measures. These included contacting emergency numbers if there was danger of a fire breaking out, ensuring fires were extinguished before sleeping and not using fuels “that are not designed for your heating unit”.
“Never leave children unattended near a burning candle or fire [and] make sure that all candles are placed in safe candleholders,” said the city’s Lindsay Mnguni.
“Never leave an imbawula or a coal fire to burn overnight without supervision. Extinguish paraffin fires with sand or a fire extinguisher.”
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