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Awareness

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NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED IN OVERSTRAND

The Overstrand Municipality wants people to know that during this drought, any and all fireworks are a fire risk. Please don't use any Fire crackers, Chinese lanterns or Emergency flares during the course of celebrations.

Click here for a larger poster with more infomationClick here for a larger poster with more infomation.

Call our 24 hour control room: 028 313 8111

I was born in a small town. Visits to Cape Town were big events. I remember the beautiful beaches, the cable car, the steepness of Kloofnek Road, my grandmother's balcony and the fascinating lights at night. White, red, blue, yellow, and orange - shining, pulsating and blinking put on a spectacular show. Nights in our little town were quiet and lit up by the Moon and thousands of twinkling stars. If one stood really still, you could hear the high pitched buzzing sounds of insects and soft shuffling of nocturnal animals. Fireflies were abundant. If you lay on your back long enough, just looking at the stars, you were bound to see a few meteors streak across the sky.

  • Keep a list of emergency numbers prominently displayed at or near the telephone. An Emergency Contact list is published monthly in the Buzz;
  • Never open a door to an unexpected visitor;
  • Avoid walking alone, particularly in isolated places;
  • Arrange with reliable neighbours for reciprocal surveillance when away from home for any length of time;
  • Leave interior lights on when away somewhere at night. As our areas do not have street lights we need to take special precautions as criminal elements are easily able to remain concealed;
  • Ensure that residences are easily approachable and free from concealed means such as shrubbery and trees;
  • Consider the installation of movement sensor activated lights at front and back doors;
  • A watch dog is a good early warning system especially if kept close to the owner or inside the house;
  • Be familiar with your environment. Be constantly on the look-out for suspicious looking characters or vehicles and do not hesitate to report them to the SAPS and/or the NW;
  • Ensure that Erf numbers are clearly and prominently displayed for emergency purposes;
  • Ensure that all windows can be properly locked and are burglar proofed. This will also prevent invasion by baboons;
  • Never sleep with windows open unless burglar proofing is fitted, even in upper storey rooms where a window is situated near a drainpipe;
  • Ensure that external doors are fitted with adequate locks;
  • Never leave door keys hanging in the door;
  • Don’t leave spare keys lying around in your house. Place them in a safe place;
  • Firearm owners must ensure that their firearms are kept safe at all times. Firearms must always be under your direct control or locked away in a firearm safe;
  • Never leave ladders, axes and spades outside. These are potential house-breaking tools and weapons;
  • Ensure that an intruder detection system is connected directly to a security company providing a 24 hour service. Ensure that the system is always activated when away from home. Ensure that the system is periodically checked and maintained and upgraded where necessary;
  • When out walking always make sure that your cellphone is concealed. Never leave cellphones lying on a seat in the car;
  • Be alert at all times to any strangers, perhaps disguised as workmen or vendors, who may be loitering in the neighbourhood. Also be aware of job seekers;
  • Look out for suspicious vehicles that cruise the area at intervals and who may be keeping houses under observation. People and/or vehicles giving rise to suspicion should be reported to the SAPS, along with the fullest possible personal and vehicle descriptions;
  • Ensure that front and back doors are not left open or unlocked;
  • Keep garage doors closed and locked;
  • Ensure that valuable items are not left on seats in cars parked at unprotected and isolated areas. Rather keep them locked away in the boot;
  • Never leave car keys in the ignition when away from the car;
  • Keep a list of the make, model and serial numbers of electrical appliances and other valuable equipment should it be required for investigation purposes. (Suggestion: Photograph your devices and numbers and then email those images to yourself; that way you'll have a record that's always (one hopes) available.)

About the Biosphere

Some facts about our area:

Betty’s Bay is situated within the buffer/transitional zone of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and it is important to think of the Biosphere as not only a floral kingdom, but to take into account the entire ecosystem. The Kogelberg area was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and Betty’s Bay was awarded Conservancy status.

Visitors continue to visit our area because of the beautiful Fynbos, beaches and the peace and quiet. However, so many fail to endeavour to abide by the simple rules of keeping our area clear of litter and adhering to the simple rules and regulations that exist.

We often experience extremely heavy rains and unfortunately many of our roads are affected. We would request all our visitors and community to please drive carefully, the municipality is really trying their best to correct the situation.

Hints on the preservation of this paradise.

  • LITTER, WASTE AND RECYCLING — We have an active recycling programme. Please recycle where ever possible.
    The white plastic bags are for recycling - glass bottles, paper, plastic and cans. We do have special containers for glass and paper situated at the Waste Station next to the Municipal Offices (opposite the Library) on Clarence Drive, Betty’s Bay.
    • Black bags are to be placed in the baboon proof bins provided on the property. These containers should be placed outside the property on Mondays for collection by the Municipality. Please do not place the black refuse bags outside the property – should there be no baboon proof bins provided it would be appreciated if the bags could be placed in the cage provided at the Waste Station.
    • Over the Christmas holiday season refuse will be removed on a daily basis except on Public Holidays. Kindly take any refuse bags that have not been collected to the container provided at the Waste Station opposite the Library at the Municipal Offices in Clarence Drive, this will prevent dogs, mongoose and baboons ripping the bags open and littering the area.
  • PUMPING OF SEPTIC TANKS — Remember December/January are very busy months with many holiday makers visiting Betty’s Bay, therefore please ensure that you make timeous arrangements to have your tank pumped – please do not leave it until the last minute.
  • BABOONS — Baboons will try to enter a house if they see or smell food inside. Please keep all doors and windows closed if nobody is at home. Note that it is illegal to feed the baboons, harm or shoot them.
  • PETS — Leashes are compulsory when taking dogs for walks, even on the beaches. Please ensure that your pets do not constitute a nuisance or danger to fellow residents, birds and our precious wild life. When walking your dogs it would be appreciated if you would pick up the faecies.
  • FIRES — Fires can be a major hazard in our area – Fynbos burns very quickly. We ask that you exercise extreme caution when setting and lighting fires and to avoid doing so at all times when the wind is strong. Please be extra careful to extinguish the fire COMPLETELY and not to let it die down on its own, as the slightest bit of wind can cause a fire. Under no circumstances must hot coals be dumped in the bushes, this has been the cause of many fires in Betty’s Bay.
  • FIREWORKS — NO FIREWORKS ARE ALLOWED. Please do not discharge any fireworks or crackers in Betty’s Bay. The unlawful ischarge of fireworks is not only a fire hazard to the summer Fynbos but also affects animals and annoys your neighbours.
  • WATER — Please use water sparingly as this is a very precious source in the Western Cape.
  • LIGHTS — Lights are a pollutant, negatively affecting not only your neighbourhood but also the fauna. Outside lights should not be left on all night. Relax and enjoy the stars!!
  • NOISE — You have come to Betty’s Bay for the peace and quiet. Please respect this. Sound systems should be for your ears only!
  • SPEEDING — Many visitors to Betty’s Bay, especially the youngsters, are often seen spinning their cars around corners on the sand roads. This is not only extremely dangerous but also aggravates the conditions of the roads, especially after heavy rains. We also request parents not to allow young children to drive – we know that the roads are quiet, but this is all the more reason why youngsters ride their bicycles, skate board or play games in the roads.
  • SAND DUNES — Please help to protect our sand dunes by adhering to the path ways and not creating new paths every time you visit the beach. Please do not interfere with the natural growth on the dunes. Sand boarding can be enjoyed on the dunes in Silversands.
  • SWIMMING — We request parents to please be extra vigilant when taking the family to the beach over the holiday period - make sure that you know where your children are at all times. Please swim within the area designated by the Life Savers and follow their instructions. They are there to look after your safety and to ensure that your experience on the beach is a happy one.
  • OYSTER CATCHERS AND BIRD LIFE — We request visitors to please not interfere with the rare Oyster Catchers during breeding season. Areas have been demarcated where there are nests. Please keep children and dogs away.
  • PROPERTY — We would also request you to please respect other people’s properties, we have chosen not to have fences but that does not give anyone the right to walk through our properties.

We sincerely trust that you will help to keep Betty’s Bay the lovely, peaceful village that keeps bringing you back to visit us.

Every year residents and visitor alike welcome the New Year with spectacular fireworks displays, a spectacle most people enjoy, provided those who practice this custom observe the rules and regulations, play it safe and are considerate. For the sake of both man and beast, fireworks may only be discharged between the hours of 23h00 and 01h00 on New Year’s Eve at the following prescribed location: KLEINMOND MAIN BEACH.

Please remember that all rockets and airborne fireworks must be set off over the ocean to reduce the possibility of descending into fynbos and/or mountain areas. Organised fireworks/pyrotechnics displays are limited to traditional locations and will only be permitted with the consent from the Chief Fire Officer.

Discharging fireworks from any other area (including your own backyard) and at any other time will result in a hefty fine and could even see transgressors spending the first part of your new year in jail. You can be assured that Law Enforcement Agencies will take action against any person who acts irresponsibly outside the prescribed legislation.

Note too, that the use of any flame-emitting device, specifically Chinese lanterns and emergency flares, is prohibited by law. So, people, be sensible and don’t even think about setting off these items since you have no way of knowing where they might land, causing a fire and resulting in tragedy for others. Remember that you will be held liable for any damages caused. Finally, be considerate! If everyone sticks to the stipulated terrains and times,  animosity between neighbours and the distress this custom causes for animals, can be kept to a minimum.

Any special requests regarding fireworks displays and/or other enquiries must be directed to the Chief Fire Officer on 028 313 8980 during office hours.