February 10, 2006
By Shamin Chibba
TAKE extra care during the rainy season. This is the plea of the Johannesburg emergency management services spokesperson, Malcolm Midgley, who has asked Joburgers to be extra cautious in the wet weather.
After widespread flooding, Midgley has published safety tips for surviving on the roads and in residential areas.
Despite the major downpours, there have been few minor road accidents and no major floods in the city.
"Except for a couple of bus accidents, there have been no major incidents," Midgley says, referring to accidents in Sandton and in the CBD on Thursday, 9 February. And these were not even related to the rain.
Motorists have been cautious so far; two accidents caused some trouble on the M1 freeway, at the Buccleuch interchange, and on the N1 next to the Allandale interchange in Midrand.
Midgley says that although there have been no major accidents, it is still important to give warnings and safety tips so people do not do foolish things. His tips target motorists and pedestrians, and residents living in areas where there is the possibility of dangerous flooding.
Motorists should slow down as roads can be slippery and visibility is poor. They should also switch on their headlights to be more visible to other motorists.
Pedestrians and cyclists should also be prudent and wear brightly coloured clothing so motorists can see them.
Midgley says it is important not to build houses or shacks below the flood lines. People must make sure that their garden walls have weep holes so that the rain does not flood their yards.
They should also report open manholes to the City council as these could lead to unnecessary injuries.
Do not to attempt to rescue someone from drowning unless you are a strong swimmer, he says. If someone is being washed away, either use a stick to reach the drowning person or throw a rope to them, and pull them to safety.
Emergency management services is ready to respond should there be a disaster, but have not taken any unusual precautions.
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