With winter in full swing in South Africa and temperatures in the low numbers, sometimes even below zero, many of us are doing all we can to keep warm, while keeping electricity costs down. The winter season sadly sees an increase in the number of fires reported, often due to not using heating devices safely. Many households are warmed up with paraffin heaters, makeshift fireplaces, and even braziers, which can significantly increase the risk of fire.
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But even using fitted fireplaces or portable heaters can be complicated if not used safely. Some of us may have old fireplaces at home that haven’t been properly maintained, while others might forget to turn off heaters. From gas fireplaces to wood-burning ones, to portable and plug in heaters, all of these heating options should be used with caution to keep warm - and safe – and factored into your insurance cover.
This is according to Siyakha Masiye, spokesperson at MiWay Insurance, who says that many people investing in gas heating methods to reduce costs, may not realise there are legal requirements to follow, and those using their heaters and fireplaces more often, may not prioritise safety like they should.
Gas comes with a number of specifications by law. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 requires gas installations to have a certificate of conformity to ensure safety and leak-free operation. Cutting costs by not using a certified installer may lead to financial consequences in the long term. Failure to produce a certificate could result in insurance claims being denied in case of fire damage. The Act specifies rules for storing gas tanks, such as distances from doors, windows, drains, and property boundaries. Hiring a qualified installer ensures compliance with these regulations and will also go a long way should you need to claim. A compliant installation could be the difference between a fire claim being paid out or not.
“Keeping fireplaces clean and maintaining chimneys is another important step – wood-burning or gas fireplaces require this,” he adds. “You also need adequate airflow, even on a very cold night. Safety guidelines are there for a reason, so ensure you keep these in mind depending on what you are using to keep warm.”
READ: How to risk-proof your new property: Tips for first-time homeowners
Importance of compliance certificates
Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa in a article published in 2023 pointed out that compliance certificates will need to be re-issued if any work has been done to the home. If no faults are found during the inspection process, the seller will usually just need to cover the call out fee for the respective professionals. If faults are found, the cost will escalate depending on the work that needs to be completed.
One of the certificates that will need to be issued is a valid Electrical Certificate of Compliance (ECOC) which can be issued by a certified electrician. This inspection will check that all electrical installations including plug points, light fittings, DB board, electric oven, and visible wiring, are correctly installed and in working order.
Similarly, if the property has any electric fencing, this will need to be checked by a qualified electrician who can then issue an Electrical Fence System Compliance Certificate. If the property makes use of liquid gas (a gas cooker, for example), a Gas Certificate of Conformity will need to be issued. This is to ensure that the gas has been installed correctly and that there are no gas leaks.
To ensure that no beetles have been eating their way through any timber framing within the home, a Beetle Infestation Clearance Certificate will also need to be issued. It is important to note that this inspection does not necessarily include checks for other kinds of insect or rodent infestations.
READ: Buyers, double check those compliance certificates
Another certificate that often causes confusion is the plumbing certificate. Most buyers falsely assume that this inspection covers all the plumbing fittings and fixtures within the property. However, this inspection is primarily concerned with checking that the geysers, main pipes and overflows have been properly installed and are not leaking. This inspection does not check for low water pressure, blocked drains or other common plumbing concerns that can be considered as maintenance issues.
“Although these compliance certificates do exist as a form of protection for the buyer, these inspections are primarily concerned with checking that the relevant fittings have been correctly installed and are up to code. The home may still contain other defects that fall beyond the scope of the various compliance certificates. If a buyer does not want to be surprised by defects that are not covered by the scope of the various compliance certificates, I would recommend that the buyer pays to have their own certified professionals inspect the home as well,” he suggests.
READ: Is a compliance certificate required when solar energy is used?
Masiye says portable gas heaters are convenient and efficient with models that include safety features like automatic shut-off, and gas bottles should be used safely, with spare bottles stored correctly. Electric blankets and heating pads, which use less electricity than space heaters and provide localised warmth to reduce power strain, are another good option but they need to be used responsibly.
“These features would be insured under Home Contents, so if you are considering purchasing additional heaters, factor replacement cost into your overall cover. If you are installing a fireplace, this would fall under your buildings insurance policy. You won’t need to specify your fireplace, but the cost to rebuild should go into your sum insured, and you will need compliance certificates, particularly if you install a gas-powered fireplace,” he adds.
“Choosing cost-effective, safe alternatives for heating and power, ensures that households can stay warm and secure. Stay informed, stay safe, and keep your insurance up to date to protect your home and family this winter and always,” concludes Masiye.
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Ricardo Coetzee, Head of Auto & General Insurance previously shared safety tips that can help prevent winter warmth turning into a chilly catastrophe, take a look...
Trust the pros: Make sure that all heating appliances and devices are SABS approved and, where applicable, installed by a certified service provider. Improperly installed heating devices have been the cause of numerous deaths in South Africa.
Read and obey the manual: It’s crucial to operate devices within manufacturers’ limits. Setting a device to maximum heat for extended periods of time, not placing a device on a level surface, moving it around whilst in operation or charging a device for longer than recommended, for example, could pose a serious risk.
Wire and pipe check: Make sure that appliances and other heating devices, as well as their piping and wiring, are in a good, safe working order. Take gas bottles to your nearest gas retailer to have them checked for leaks on a regular basis. This includes gas bottles used for heaters, braais and stoves.
Keep an eye: In the US, fires resulting from cooking, and more specifically unattended cooking, is a major concern. Never leave heaters, electrical blankets, candles or stoves unattended. Exercise special caution before going to bed at night to make sure that all heat sources are turned off.
Plug pressure: Do not overload one single power source. Unplug and switch off all electrical appliances that are not in use.
Vent wise: Make sure that heating, electric and electronic devices are in a spacious and well-ventilated spot to prevent overheating. Do not cover heaters with clothing or other material that you wish to warm or dry.
Light first, gas second: If you have a gas heater or cook with gas, light the match or lighter first, before turning on the gas.
Declutter: Keep clutter to a minimum in and around your home, as this could add fuel to a fire, and keep flammable materials, including fuels, far away from heat sources.
Smoke smart: If possible, install smoke detectors throughout your home.
Arm’s reach: Have a fire extinguisher available, specifically near the kitchen and other areas where heat sources are frequently used. Make sure that you know how to activate and operate it.
Emergency plan: Make sure that trip switches and emergency cut-off valves are in good working order. Have all emergency contact details within easy reach and don’t wait until a fire is out of control before contacting emergency response teams.
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