24 May 2007
With the cold weather having set in, the Northern Cape Department of
Health's Emergency Medical Services has initiated "Operation Amboula" â a
campaign aimed at decreasing the incidence of shanty fires and carbon monoxide
poisoning, which predominantly occurs during the winter months. On Friday
afternoon, a team of emergency care practitioners (ECPs)visited the community
of Lerato Park to inform them of the dangers of fires and to advise them how to
keep warm without threatening their own lives. Particularly dangerous, is the
use of an "amboula", a steel drum in which fires are made. The fire is
generally made outside and then moved inside once the flames have gone out.
However, unbeknown to many people, the coals continue to give off carbon
monoxide, even when the flames are gone. The fumes then put one to sleep and
can even result in a person going into a coma. Furthermore, carbon monoxide
poisoning is most likely to occur in an unventilated structure. The use of the
amboulas in closed areas was therefore discouraged.
People were further warned that should they make fires, including the
lighting of candles, they should ensure that there are no objects in close
surrounds of the flames, as curtains and bedding can easily catch alight. They
were further warned not to leave children unattended in the presence of fires
or burning candles and to put all fires our before they go to sleep. Whilst it
is unrealistic to think that people will stop making fires to ward off the
cold, people are nonetheless encouraged to practice extreme caution this
winter. This is particularly because in the Frances Baard district alone, our
ECPs attended to 186 burn cases last year.
People are further urged to close all openings or gaps in the walls and to
keep the shanty closed when the heat of the sun bakes down on it, so as to warm
it up. They are also encouraged to make use of other methods of keeping warm
such as drinking as many warm fluids as possible and huddling together for body
heat.
For more information, contact:
Shelley Fielding
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 083 701 7191
Issued by: Department of Health, Northern Cape Provincial Government
24 May 2007
