Practical tips to stay fire safe

Establishing a safety culture requires regular awareness campaigns and law enforcement

Sharjah residents get practical training on how to fight fires. Pawan Singh / The National

Sharjah’s “Our Homes Are Safe” campaign, which started on Thursday and will be conducted in public parks in coming weeks, is a positive step towards establishing a safety culture. Accidents involving fire have been a major concern in Sharjah, with several incidents in high-rise buildings, including the Abdul Naser building in King Faisal Road in October.

These workshops are important because they give residents hands-on experience of putting out fires. As one participant attendee, Sadiqa Humaid, told The National, they raise awareness in a practical way that is more effective than the old method of distributing safety brochures. They also provide lessons on how to avoid simple mistakes that could result in deadly fires, such as using electrical equipment near gas containers and appliances.

These courses should be repeated at regular intervals, and could be expanded to other emirates. At least one resident of each household should know how to identify hazards and deal with a fire. One way to achieve this would be for the management of each apartment building to ensure that someone from each residence knows how to put out a small fire, as well as when and how to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency. Reports by Sharjah Civil Defence show that many household fires could have been avoided if residents were aware of simple safety steps.

A related issue is the growing but illegal practice of selling and buying fireworks. These are imported through illicit means – meaning they could be faulty –and are not stored properly, which poses a safety hazard. If not handled with care, these fireworks can spark fires or cause serious injuries. Many people, including children, use them without realising the risks involved and unaware that they are against the law.

Fire safety awareness is important at all times, and especially so now as tents that will cater for hundreds of people are being set up for Ramadan. Campaigns like “Our Homes Are Safe” and Dubai Police’s “Stop! Stay Safe” for fireworks safety are important, and they should be followed through with inspections and enforcement.