Summer awareness campaigns to promote public safety and protect lives and property will be carried out at more than 65 locations across the country.
Civil Defence director-general Brigadier Ali Al Kubaisi said that the initiative was part of a strategic plan to prevent and mitigate incidents that may result from high temperatures or the improper use of energy sources during the hot summer months.
He added that, over the past three years, the directorate had carried out 265 awareness campaigns covering a wide range of risk-related issues that may impact the community.
“These include home safety, workers’ accommodations, fuel station safety, factory and warehouse, workshops and pilgrim safety during the summer season,” he said.
“Additional campaigns have also targeted places of worship, parking facilities, swimming pools as well as self-protection programmes for shop workers and educational initiatives during the Ashoora season.”
Brig Al Kubaisi
He stressed the need to follow safety guidelines during the summer, given the high risk of fires resulting from soaring temperatures and the increased use of electrical appliances.
He also underscored the importance of regular maintenance, checking the condition of wires and plugs and replacing any damaged or exposed components.
This included regular cleaning of filters of air conditioning units and fans to prevent overheating and to ensure safe and efficient operation.
More than 100,000 security-related cases were dealt with by the Interior Ministry last year, according to the latest statistics as reported in the GDN.
These cases included emergency responses, maritime and traffic and fire accidents.
The Civil Defence dealt with 16,901 cases last year.
Most of the reports (8,322) came from people requiring general assistance and aid, followed by 2,250 reports of fire, 1,156 reports of vehicles breaking down and 457 reports of trees, poles and billboards falling.
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