With the peak of the festive season approaching – the four day Christmas long weekend – the City of Cape Town has ensured that all possible measures are in place to make this period safe and enjoyable. Residents and visitors are urged to please exercise caution during this time and to heed the City’s safety tips.
Fire safety
The Festive Season coincides with Cape Town’s high-risk fire period, with the combination of high temperatures and gale-force south-easterly winds. There are two main types of fires in Cape Town – vegetation and structural – both of which can be prevented in most cases. Vegetation fires that occur in mountainous areas are particularly dangerous because of inaccessibility and limited water supply. The City has employed 120 seasonal firefighters on a contract basis from November to April. They are trained to fight veld fires and are deployed at various fire stations to assist firefighters.
Informal settlements are at a high-risk for the rapid spread of structural fires. The rate of spread is directly influenced by the materials used in construction of settlements and the distance between each structure. It is essential that the residents in informal settlements:
- Limit ignition sources
- Keep areas around heating and cooking devices clear of any material and
- Keep roadways and spaces around the structures clear of obstructions to allow emergency vehicles to move around under emergency conditions.
Please heed the following tips – you could prevent a potential disaster:
Vegetation fires
- No fires are allowed on the mountain fringe areas except in specifically demarcated areas and pre-authorised areas. If you are unsure whether fires are allowed in an area, do not make a fire.
- Do not discard burning cigarettes from your vehicle. They are pollutants and one of the causes of vegetation fires. Use the ashtray in the vehicle.
- Ensure that fire hydrants remain unobstructed at all times, especially by parked vehicles. Tampering with hydrants can delay a firefighter’s ability to bring a fire under control timeously.
- Ensure your braai or cooking fire is completely extinguished before leaving areas where fires are allowed.
- Keep ignition sources such as matches and lighters out of reach of children.
- Comply with the legal requirements for burning vegetation off-cuts (Please see City of Cape Town Community Safety By-law and National Veld Forest Act or refer to www.capetown.gov.za for more information.
Structural fires
- Excessive alcohol usage and fires do not go well together
- Buy a fire extinguisher and keep it in an accessible place in your home
- Every home should have more than one exit to ensure escape if a fire breaks out.
- Informal homes should be built at least three metres apart to stop fires from spreading.
- Keep matches, lighters, paraffin and poisons out of reach of young children.
- Use child-proof caps on flammable products such as paraffin.
- Extinguish all candles and lamps before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Avoid smoking in bed – it is dangerous.
- Keep stoves on a flat surface away from drafts and flammable objects.
- Never leave fires and cooking stoves unattended.
- Always keep a bucket of sand and a bucket of water handy, in case a fire breaks out.
- Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use.
- Do not overload plug points.
- Switch your heater off before going to sleep
Beach safety
Residents and visitors are reminded that no alcohol is allowed on City beaches. Law Enforcement Officers will be conducting regular patrols throughout the Festive Season to enforce the City’s by-laws. Members of the public found in possession of alcohol on beaches will receive a spot fine and their alcohol will be confiscated.
Residents should only make use of beaches patrolled by lifeguards and organised tour groups should liaise with lifeguards before visiting a beach. Approximately 250 lifeguards are available every day on the following Blue Flag beaches between 10:00 and 18:00: Bikini, Mnandi, Strandfontein, Muizenberg, Llandudno, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th and Silwerstroom.
In addition, lifeguards will provide a service at Kogel Bay, Gordon’s Bay, Strand, Macassar, Monwabisi, Blue Waters, Masonwabe, Sunrise Circle, Dangers, Clovelly, Fish Hoek, Maiden’s Cove, Milnerton and Big Bay.
The afore-mentioned services are in addition to private lifesaving clubs on some beaches, Lifesaving Western Province’s volunteer services, the National Sea Rescue Institute(NSRI) and Medic helicopter. The City has also invested in new life-saving equipment, including additional rubber ducks, life-saving boats, torpedo buoys and jet-skis. This equipment will be available on the beach when lifeguards are on duty.
A total of 21 Shark Spotters will be available every day at:
- Muizenberg Corner (Surfer’s Corner) from 08:00 – 19:00
- St. James from 08:00 – 19:00
- Clovelly from 08:00 – 16:00
- Fish Hoek from 08:00 – 18:45
- Glencairn from 08:00 – 19:00
- Noordhoek from 08:00 – 19:00.
Beach users must familiarise themselves with the flag warning system at these beaches by checking the signage and speaking to a beach-based shark spotter if they have any queries. It is critical that when a siren sounds bathers (including surfers and paddlers) evacuate the water. The summer season sees increased numbers of sharks and beach users should bear this in mind and exercise caution.
Beachgoers are urged to heed these safety tips:
- Swim only where there are lifeguards and where signs indicate it is safe to do so. Don’t swim if lifeguards are not present.
- Make sure that lifeguards can see you when you are in the water.
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags. These indicate safe, supervised swimming areas. Areas outside these flags might conceal dangerous currents and tides.
- Only swim in areas where other people are present. Swim in groups and advise friends/family when you go swimming.
- Do not swim when there are marine animals (such as whales, dolphins and seals) in the area or when a marine animal carcass has washed up onto the beach.
- If you find yourself in trouble, raise your arm to attract the lifeguards’ attention. Do not panic, as this will tire you.
- If you see someone in trouble in the sea, alert the lifeguards or find help. Don’t put your own life in danger as well.
- Parents must be on high alert when their children are play in or near the surf, a river or a pool. Children can also get lost on crowded beaches and parents are urged to be especially vigilant.
Road safety
High traffic volumes are expected over the long weekend. The City appeals to motorists and all other road users to adhere to the rules and regulations of the road and exercise particular caution to ensure a safe journey for themselves and others.
Drivers should please heed the following advice:
- Conduct a thorough check of the vehicle before taking to the roads.
- Ensure that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition by checking the braking system and other mechanical workings.
- Switch on the headlights to increase vehicle visibility.
- Take regular rest breaks.
- Ensure a safe following distance.
City law enforcement units will be out in full force, with regular patrols and roadblocks throughout the city. Drinking and driving will be a crucial focus area, with officers adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ approach.
Emergencies
Report any emergency (including medical, crime, fire and traffic) to the 107 emergency number from a Telkom line. Cell phone users need to dial 021 480 7700.Article source: http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/Cityservhighalertsafetyofresandvisfestseasonpeak.aspx
Original Post on MyZA» Cape Town: City services on high alert to ensure safety of residents and visitors over festive season peak
