SHARJAH // Police have begun their annual summer publicity drive to warn people to protect their homes while they are on holiday.
They said the campaign is particularly important this year, as thefts and burglaries have been on the rise in Sharjah as a result of rising unemployment.
Shoppers at the Sahara Mall and in the City Centre Mall will be given leaflets detailing basic measures such as switching off all electrical equipment, closing gas cylinders and locking doors when they go away.
"The problem of an empty home is not only thieves but also fire," said Brig Humaid al Hudaidi, the director general of Sharjah Police. "Once the gas cylinders are not closed there is a certainty of fire breaking up in that house when it gets hot."
Opening the campaign in the city centre, Brig al Hudaidi said thefts and burglaries were on the rise.
Sharjah Police have recently been targeting petty criminals in residential areas, said Col Eid Madhloom, the head of the operations room. He said the campaign had made the Sharjah residential areas safer than they were before it started.
He added that most of the people arrested had lost their jobs as a result of the global financial crisis.
In Ajman, police have urged residents to install house alarms before they go on holiday, following a spate of burglaries.
On Wednesday three Asians were charged with a burglary in Rashidiya, in which Dh18,000 (US$4,900) in cash and gold jewellery worth Dh80,000 were stolen. Col Abdullah Ahmad al Hamrani, the head of Ajman City police station, said the three men arrested had confessed to the burglary, and had been referred to the public prosecution.
He said it was one of several recent incidents thought to have been committed by people aged between 20 and 30, and attributed the thefts to the rise in unemployment caused by the global financial crisis.
Col al Hamrani cautioned people going on holiday to ensure their homes were safe, and inform building authorities.
He repeated the call last year by Col Ali Abdullah Alwan, the head of Ajman Police, for residents going away to install house alarms linked to the police operations room, at an annual cost of Dh5,000 (US$1,400).
ykakande@thenational.ae
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
%E2%80%98White%20Elephant%E2%80%99
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jesse%20V%20Johnson%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Michael%20Rooker%2C%20Bruce%20Willis%2C%20John%20Malkovich%2C%20Olga%20Kurylenko%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
