​​The City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) has kicked off its annual Winter Safety Campaign with the overarching goal of assisting residents to avoid fire hazards during the coldest months of the year.

The campaign is also designed to provide vulnerable communities with adequate information to avert fire dangers in hostels, backyard dwellings and informal settlements.

Since the winter season began, the City’s Disaster Management Unit has received several calls of fire outbreaks in George Goch.

“Some of the challenges that the community face are fires that are caused by children playing with matches as well as fires caused by overloaded plugs, unattended burning candles and paraffin stoves,” says Kemane Mokitle from Disaster Management.

The winter safety campaign is a partnership between the City’s Directorates of Public Safety, including EMS, Disaster Management and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).

Mokitle says the City decided to launch the campaign at the George Goch hostel because of the vulnerability of residents there. In addition, all 200 informal settlements in the municipality have been identified as susceptible to fire hazards.

During the campaign launch, residents of George Goch received mini fire extinguishers and winter gloves and hats. Community members were also advised to make their area fire safe by not storing wood, paper and plastic which burns easily. Residents have been urged to check gas appliances regularly to ensure they are not leaking, rusted or damaged.

“Sparks from electric wires and plugs can start a fire. Residents should put paraffin stoves on a flat surface, where it can’t fall or get knocked over,” Mokitle emphasises.

The City’s Disaster Management Unit provides sponge mattresses and blankets to families affected by fires. The unit receives donated food parcels and hygiene packs from NGO’s to distribute to needy families.

In case of a fire outbreak, residents are encouraged to use the toll-free number 112 to contact disaster management using any cellphone network.

Written by Ayanda Radebe