[imagesource:freepik]

A collective sigh from Capetonians as another biting cold front hits the Southern Cape.

While we can all agree that we’re sick of blue toes and shaky teeth from the low temperatures, this weekend exposed the deadlier side of winter in the mother city. Trivial winter blues are put into perspective as fatal fire-related incidents skyrocketed over the last couple days.

At least fourteen people lost their lives over the last weekend due to these kinds of happenings. Half of that number were children.

It’s not just unattended fireplaces that are to blame; in trying to keep warm, many South Africans, especially those with less or no access to quality heating, are turning to dangerous heating schemes in their homes.

Coal fumes were the latest culprit in a Cape Town fire-related death:

“According to neighbours, the family had taken a drum of hot coals indoors and were overcome by the lack of oxygen,” the City of Cape Town said.

Fire-related incidents such as this become even more deadly when living conditions force South Africans to live in high density areas. A further twelve people were killed and eleven homes were destroyed across Khayelitsha, Hout Bay and Delft just this last week.

Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service have a lot to deal with besides the bleak weather, because there’s a lot more than just material possessions going up in flames. Mayoral member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, lamented how deep it goes:

‘The loss of life is heart-wrenching and the City’s disaster risk management centre is coordinating relevant services to respond to psycho-trauma and humanitarian assistance for the affected residents.”

Smith also encouraged residents to be extra careful this winter when looking to find ways to warm up.

In light of all this devastation, it’s worth brushing up on some of the important information found in the City of Cape Town’s fire safety information booklet. 

While some of the information is out-dated, the stats provide a decent overview of blind spots that South Africans clearly have when it comes to fire safety:

Smith put it perfectly when he reminded South Africans to be extra vigilant this season: “The risks, as we have sadly seen, are simply too great.”

[source:capetownetc]