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Cape Town General Holiday Villa Rental Information
Cape Town General Holiday Villa Rental Information
PLEASE READ FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTIES SAFETY.
Unfortunately, holidaying in houses and particularly unfamiliar ones in foreign countries are the place where accidents are most likely to occur. It is in everybodys interest that accidents are avoided. Lack of knowledge is the biggest factor in causing injury related accidents whether at the house or elsewhere in Cape Town. Should you have any concerns please ask.
GENERAL
Be aware of your general safety at the house particularly with regard to children. The general safety standards and regulations in South Africa are not necessarily the same as the equivalent standards in the UK or elsewhere.
Take care with all electrical and gas items, turn off all gas and electrical devices at night.
Do not tamper with any fixtures or fittings.
Care must be taken with all equipment and liquids whether inside or outside the house i.e. medicines, cleaners and particularly any suspicious liquids.
Take extra care on balconies, windows, and doors (particularly glass ones), gates and garages, garden and pools. You cannot be too careful in unfamiliar and different surroundings.
Do not try to fix anything on your own.
FIRE ESCAPE
On arrival take time to familiarise yourself with the property and any possible emergency exits.
If there's a Fire, you need to act instantly.
Alert everyone; make sure everyone in the house knows about the fire. Shout. Get everyone together.
Don't delay, you can't afford to waste any time. Don't investigate the fire. Don't go looking for valuables - whether that's jewellery, photographs, documents or whatever.
Shut doors as you go out, only open the doors you need to. Close any open doors. Before you open a door check it with the back of your hand.
Get everyone out, the best escape route is your normal way in and out of the house. Stay together if you can. If your escape route is blocked, go out of a window. Crawl on the floor if there's smoke, remember, smoke is poisonous and can kill you.
Call the Emergency Services, once you've escaped; use a cell phone/mobile or a neighbours phone. Speak slowly and clearly. Give the whole address of the house, including the residential area. Say what is on fire (e.g. a two-storey house). Explain if anyone is trapped and what room they are in. The more information the fire brigade has, the quicker it can get to you and act when it gets there.
Don't go back in for anything. If there's someone still inside, wait for the fire brigade to arrive. You can tell them about the person and they will be able to find them quicker than you. If you disappear inside the building, that will slow down the firefighters' efforts to rescue anyone else missing, apart from putting your life in great danger.
Find somewhere safe to wait. When the fire brigade arrives, give them as much information as possible about the fire and the building.
BEACH AND POOL SAFETY
Do not drink and swim anywhere water and alcohol is a lethal cocktail.
Never swim at deserted or unmanned beaches. Dont swim at dusk, at night or before at least an hour after a meal. Never allow your children into the water without being in the company of a competent adult who can swim.
Ask the lifeguards where to swim, obey his advice. Read and obey warning notices on the beach. Be aware of the conditions of the beach you plan to visit. Be sun safe.
Children can drown in shallow water, watch them constantly. Always swim in the company of others. Do not go into deep water unless you are a strong swimmer. Be careful of back, side washes and rips.
Dont dive into shallow water. Do not swim if you are tired, cold or unwell.
Inflatable beach and pool toys are dangerous when used in the sea and can be blown offshore. Dont leave valuables in the car.
Be on the lookout for suspicious looking people. Have emergency numbers handy.
A SAPS helicopter is available to assist South African Lifesaving during emergencies. In the event of an emergency on an unmanned beach call the landline numbers.
Remember even the safest beaches can be dangerous in certain weather conditions.
SAFETY FOR ANGLERS
You must have a general angling permit obtainable from any post office. Recreational diving for perlemoen is banned.
Watch the tides. If youre on the rocks or the beach, remember to retreat as the tide comes in. Never fish alone choose spots where others are fishing.
For ski boat angling on both sides of the Peninsula, the weather is of utmost importance. If you have any doubt call the lighthouse keeper at Cape Point for the latest conditions.
Dont be tempted to launch in a high wind and rough seas, especially in the south-easter, which can gust over 80km/h. In False Bay the south-easter blows onshore between Cape Point and Strandfontein but offshore towards Gordons Bay.
Make sure somebody knows you have launched and from where, how many people are on board and your estimated time of return.
Make sure you have enough fuel to get back in worsening sea conditions.
GOING TO SEA IN BOATS AND OTHER CRAFT
Check the following; latest weather forecast, local conditions and the seaworthiness of your craft and equipment.
Board sailors check local regulations regarding sailing off the beach. Always stay with your boat, board or sailboard. Dont go too far out in offshore wind. Keep out of bathing areas. Keep a sharp look out for swimmers.
Sail in the company of others. Carry a distress flare/float. Always tell someone where you are going and when you are returning. Wear a life jacket. Know how to signal an emergency. Know your limitations. Have suitable protection from the sea.
MOUNTAIN SAFETY GUIDELINES
Never hike alone. Four is the ideal size for a hiking party.
Choose a route according to ability, fitness and experience etc of the party. Go with somebody who genuinely knows the way or take a guidebook, map or description of the route from someone who has done it. Take the same route down.
Heed signs advising of danger and do not take short cuts. Tell somebody exactly where you are going (up and down routes and expected time of return) and stick to this plan.
Always go prepared for bad weather and take proper weatherproof clothing.
Take a cell phone to call in emergencies.
Watch the weather and time turn back in the case of threatening weather. Stay put in the event of trouble. Find shelter.
If you get lost or find yourself in an area that looks unsafe, retrace your steps.
Should someone have an accident, keep calm; stay together as a party until things are sorted out. Do not move the person unless it is necessary to do so for safety reasons.
For safety it is preferable to send two people for help, remember the way back.
Accidents should be reported to the nearest South African Police Station.
SAFETY FOR MOTORISTS
When returning to your car avoid walking straight to it check around you before getting in. Have the keys ready before you get to the car.
Make sure you keep valuables out of sight, on the floor or in the boot.
When enjoying the Cape Town scenery, avoid stopping in isolated spots.
If you do get out of the car keep a look out around you in addition to the view. Dont open windows more than a few centimeters
If you go out at night, make sure you know where you are going. Dont travel alone. Be sure the vehicle is in good working order. Carry a map
If you feel you are about to be hi-jacked attract as much attention as possible.
Watch out at traffic lights, ensure doors are locked, windows are closed and valuables are out of sight.
SAFETY IN THE STREET
Dont have your cameras hanging openly around your neck; keep them in a shoulder bag. Avoid dark and isolated areas.
Dont walk alone, when in the street walk in groups and stick to busier areas. Dont carry large amounts of money. Have some small change.
Dont wear neck chains or ostentatious jewelry. Keep mobiles/cell phones hidden. Dont carry your wallet in your back pocket.
When carrying a bag, keep it close to your body. Be alert and aware of what is happening around you. Provide the police with as much information as possible.
Cape Town Tourism is on the corner of Castle and Burg Street in Town and in the Waterfront.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
MEDICAL:
Constantiaberg Hospital 24hr emergency unit
021 799 2087
AshersPharmacy
...021 797 5094
Brampton Surgery
.
021 683 4300
Ambulance
.....
. 10177
GENERAL:
Police
.10111
General Emergency (All services)
.107
Power Failures
....0860 125 001
Water
086 010 3054
Poison Emergencies
..021 689 5227
Weather Bureau
082 162
RESCUE SERVICES:
Mountain
..021 948 9900
Aviation
.021 937 1211
Sea (NSRI)
...021 449 3500
CELLPHONE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
MTN, Vodacom, Cell-C
..112
Cape Private Properties cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Cape Private Properties takes no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information on any of these pages. Such information does not form any basis of a contract with readers or the tenants/occupiers of the house. Full safety guidelines can be obtained from the relevant authorities.
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