The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has issued a strong appeal to residents to prioritise safety when using heating appliances during the ongoing cold weather conditions, warning that unsafe practices continue to result in fatalities and widespread property damage.
As part of its winter awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC), officials conducted community engagements in Kwa-Thema, Springs, where residents were educated on the dangers associated with common household heat energy sources such as braziers, coal stoves, paraffin heaters and portable electric heaters.
The city cautioned that winter fires remain a recurring threat.
“Annually, members of the public lose their properties due to fire-related incidents and in the worst case scenario, lives are lost,” DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi said.
Officials noted that many households continue to rely heavily on braziers and coal stoves for heating and cooking, while others use paraffin, LPG and electric heaters to cope with freezing temperatures.
The DEMS and PDMC emphasised that improper use of these devices significantly increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and explosions.
“Carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide are extremely toxic gases emitted by the burnt fuel (coals and wood),” Ntladi warned, urging residents to ensure proper ventilation when using indoor heating sources.
Among the key safety recommendations, authorities stressed that heaters must be kept away from flammable materials, children should never be left unattended near open flames or heating devices, and all fires must be fully extinguished before residents go to sleep.
Residents were also urged to exercise caution when using generators and paraffin appliances, with officials advising that refuelling should only take place once equipment has cooled down to prevent accidental ignition.
The city further warned against the unsafe indoor use of generators, stating that they should always be operated outdoors in well-ventilated areas due to the risk posed by toxic exhaust fumes.
The municipality encouraged residents to act swiftly in emergencies.
“In case of any life-threatening emergencies, CoE can be contacted at (011) 458 0911 such that nearest firefighting teams can be dispatched for intervention,” Ntladi said.
The campaign forms part of ongoing efforts by Ekurhuleni authorities to reduce winter-related fire incidents and safeguard both lives and property across the metro.
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