By Mapaballo Borotho
- The Gauteng Provincial Government has urged residents to exercise caution as cold and wet weather continues across the province, with temperatures dropping to 3°C.
- The government is particularly concerned about residents using unsafe methods to keep warm, including illegal electricity connections, open fires and unattended heating devices.
- Motorists and pedestrians have also been urged to take extra precautions in wet and flooded conditions.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has called on its residents to practise caution and put safety first as the province continues to experience cold and wet weather conditions.
Temperatures dropped to a low of 3 degrees Celsius, with some parts of the province experiencing rainfall.
The government emphasised that it is particularly concerned about households seeking alternative ways to keep warm during these cold conditions.
It is during times like these that a majority of people from informal settlements face homelessness after losing their homes to fires. Sometimes these fire incidents lead to a loss of lives.
The provincial government spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, has therefore warned residents against illegal electricity connections.
“These illegal activities are not only criminal but can result in electrocution, serious injuries and fatalities, while also compromising the reliability of electricity supply to communities. We urge residents never to tamper with electricity infrastructure or connect homes to the electricity network illegally,” he said.
He further urged the public to practise extreme caution when using heating devices such as stoves, candles, paraffin appliances, braziers or open fires to keep warm.
“Heating and cooking devices should never be left unattended, particularly while people are sleeping. They must be kept away from curtains, bedding, clothing and other flammable materials, and homes must have adequate ventilation where applicable. Residents are urged never to use unsafe methods of heating that could result in carbon monoxide poisoning or a house fire,” he added.
Motorists have also been urged to reduce their speed during wet conditions, maintain a safe following distance, use headlights where visibility is poor and avoid crossing flooded roads or bridges.
Pedestrians should similarly avoid walking through fast-flowing water and flooded areas.
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