Fireplaces, heaters, paraffin stoves and electric blankets are synonymous with winter. Small wonder, then, that home fire incidents occur more frequently during colder months.
South Africans are urged to be vigilant when it comes to fire safety. With Eskom expecting 37 to 101 days of loadshedding this winter, people will opt for alternative heat sources.
Wynand van Vuuren of King Price Insurance advises people to implement these practices when heating your home during loadshedding:
- Keep the heat in your house by closing curtains and doors to unused rooms. Keep windows closed and plug the cracks under doors with towels.
- Handle heating equipment with care. Ensure that the pipes on your gas heaters are secure, and keep flammable items a metre away from the heat source. When the power is on, plug only one heat-producing appliance into one outlet at a time, and plug power cords directly into wall sockets.
- Never use a generator inside your home, garage or shed, even if the doors and windows are open. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills many South Africans yearly. Ensure your generator is installed and certified by professionals and buildings and home contents are covered properly. “All generators and alternative power supplies must be installed professionally by an electrician, or you run the risk of fires and damage,” says Van Vuuren.
