The General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD) has advised people to follow safety procedures at home during Ramadan to prevent fire incidents.
A list of dos and don’ts posted on the Ministry of Interior (MoI)’s social media platforms draws attention to a number of key issues, including keeping children away from the kitchen and having appropriate fire safety equipment at home.
The GDCD, which aims to achieve safety and protection for members and institutions of the society, “considers prevention to be better than treatment and seeks to raise awareness of safety-related issues”, the advisory states.
Ramadan is different from other months as family gatherings for Iftar and Suhoor are common during this period and various types of dishes are prepared, which leads to an increased use of the kitchen during this period, it is observed in the MoI post.
In view of this, and to prevent untoward incidents, family members must be aware of the risks involved and the importance of safety guidelines to be followed.
One of the most important safety measures is to keep children away from the kitchen, especially the frying pan, during the cooking process.
Also, families should ensure the safety of gas connections, and examine stoves and ovens to make sure that they are clean and that there is no blockage.
The presence of electrical wires for more than one device at the same spot, and which are placed in a haphazard manner, poses a fire risk due to the possibility of a short circuit.
Fires caused by electrical connections and fittings are among the most serious in nature and may have significant consequences, it is pointed out.
To prevent such mishaps, the advisory has highlighted the importance of the availability – and use – of different household safety tools such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and gas safety valves.
There should also be adequate ventilation inside the house, along with emergency exits, high-quality electrical connections, and a fire blanket.
The GDCD’s Operations Department has stressed that the Civil Defence is fully prepared to deal with any reports of fire incidents.
People should dial the emergency number – 999 – and provide the full address for easy access.
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