As temperatures continue to drop, the city of Johannesburg has initiated its annual winter fire safety campaign.

Authorities are urging citizens to take precautions against fire related situations that usually increase during the winter season. According to the City, recent reports of fatal shack fires in Johannesburg have brought attention to the critical need for greater public knowledge and fire safety precautions.

MMC for public safety, Moshe Koma has introduced a campaign run by the City’s emergency medical services (EMS) at the Springboks informal settlement in Moffat View on Friday. The initiative aims to lessen fire-related fatalities, injuries, and property damage, especially in heavily populated residential neighborhoods and informal settlements that are particularly vulnerable during the winter season.

According to Koma, the campaign is timely because hut fires, carbon monoxide poisoning cases, and burn-related injuries have increased in the past throughout the winter seasons. “Our emergency services respond to terrible fires that devastate homes, uproot families and sadly take lives every winter.” said Koma. Furthermore, the city has advised households not to leave candles, paraffin stoves, heaters, or braizers unattended. Residents are urged to make sure that kids are kept away from heating equipment and open flames. The EMS, the JMPD, crisis management teams, community leaders and other stakeholders have collaborated on the campaign concentrated on teaching locals how to operate cooking, lighting and heating items safely.

As part of the Winter Safety Campaign in Johannesburg, Koma has conducted door-to-door visits within the community to raise awareness of fire safety readiness. Water tanks will be erected across areas in need to enhance water access and strengthen fire emergency response capabilities. In addition Koma vowed to distribute smoke detectors to residents, ensuring that every household has a smoke detector. This was highlighted during the interaction in the community.