28 July 2006 SAFETY CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES After many months of hard work, City of Johannesburg officials behind the Winter Safety Campaign are heartened by what appears to be a resounding victory in the struggle to save lives. Figures gathered by Johannesburg Emergency Services show there were 100 fire incidents in the city's informal settlements from January to July this year compared to 550 incidents from April to July in 2005. Malcom Midgely, the spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Services, said further that only two of this year's 100 incidents involved more than 10 shacks and that most of the call outs were to single shacks. "It seems at last we are getting through and we think the reason there are fewer fires this year is because of education. As part of the Winter Safety Campaign we have been out there talking to the people in the informal settlements; advising them what materials to use and to build their homes with gaps in between so we can get fire trucks in to quickly put out fires," he said. "This is great news, but it can only be achieved by citizens working together with the City of Johannesburg and heeding the warnings of the Winter Safety Campaign." Johannesburg Emergency Services workers visited numerous informal settlements and many other community centres as they worked through this cold winter to pass messages of safety and survival. In June alone workers visited 52 pre-schools, 98 primary schools and 53 old age homes to spread the word. The City of Johannesburg Winter Safety Campaign also warns people to take special care with their gas heaters and to keep a sharp eye out for leaks. "If you have a gas leak even putting in an electric plug in the next room can cause a fire," said Midgely. Last month, Johannesburg Emergency Services attended a house fire in Roodepoort that showed how dangerous a gas leak can be. It all started when a leak from a gas heater caught fire and melted the hose; this led to burning pressurised gas shooting out of the canister like a flamethrower. It was enough to burn down the home. Johannesburg Emergency Services says that the best way to check for a leak is to brush soapy water along the hose and connections – if the soapy water bubbles you have a leak! Other tips for dealing with gas heaters are: Always have your heater checked by a gas dealer at the beginning of every winter. Always check your gas hosepipe and connections before switching on. Check that your seal between the cylinder and connection do not need replacing. Check that the connection is screwed tightly into the canister. Never leave a gas heater on overnight. Keep it clean, when switched off check the jets for dirt. Never hang clothes on the heater and keep it clear from cloth and curtains. Contact: Nthatisi Modingoane Media Liaison Officer CITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: (011) 407 7354 Fax: 403 3494 Cell: 082 467 9228 E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za