Inspection visits are being held in Muharraq as part of an awareness campaign aimed at educating people about fire prevention and minimising the risk of blaze break-outs.
The drive was launched by the Muharraq Municipal Council and is being held in co-operation with the Interior Ministry’s Civil Defence Directorate, Muharraq Governorate Police Directorate and the Electricity and Water Authority.
The campaign coincides with the onset of the summer season which brought a rise of temperatures, and in the aftermath of the recent increase in fires in markets and shops.
It features a tour and inspection visits to shops across the governorate, where electrical connections are inspected, and specialists provide necessarily instructions and advice to workers to reduce the risk of a tragedy.
Shop-owners are urged to ensure that their wiring and other electrical connections are in top condition, and to always have fire extinguishers nearby, just in case.
Mr Almahmood, left, stressing the importance of having a fire extinguisher in one of the shops
A diverse number of shops were included, such as central markets, car repair shops, furniture manufacturing workshops, gas shops, restaurants, bakeries and other commercial establishments.
Officials emphasised the importance of preparedness and readiness, and have urged the establishments and the owners to co-operate and follow all instructions in order to protect the property and the people’s lives.
The first day of the campaign focused on the Arad service area in the presence of municipal member and constituency seven representative Ahmed Almuqahwi, and the Hidd Central Market in the presence of municipal member and constituency eight representative Mohammed Almuqahwi.
On the second day, inspection visits were held along Al Khalifa Avenue in the presence of municipal member and constituency three representative Abdulqader Alsayed, and then made its way to Busaiteen’s Road 11 in the presence of municipal member and constituency one representative Mohammed Almahmood.
Officials inspecting a toy shop
The campaign will cover all areas in Muharraq, with organisers very keen to raise awareness among not just shop-owners, but also members of the general public to reduce instances of fires in the governorate.
The GDN reported last month that about 1,189 fires broke out in houses, establishments, warehouses and vehicles in the first half of the year.
This was according to Civil Defence director general Brigadier Ali Al Kubaisi who urged people to follow all safety and precautionary measures to prevent disaster, especially during the summer.
He said that most fires in houses and residential buildings were caused either by negligence or by children left unattended and playing with flammable materials.
In the same period, 402 vehicle fires were also recorded, sparking calls for drivers to maintain their vehicles regularly and not keep flammable materials such as lighters, gaseous substances and batteries in vehicles, especially in the summer heat.
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