With the temperature in Qatar getting really hot this summer, the General Directorate of Civil Defence is advising the public to be extra vigilant and follow these measures to keep safe.
- When you leave your house, make sure that you switched off the gas cylinder and all electrical appliances. Windows and doors should be securely locked.
- Keep sources of ventilation open to protect walls from cracking.
- Regularly maintain equipment and devices, such as gas cylinders, electrical wires, air conditioners and other devices to avoid fire breakout.
Avoiding Fire
- Misuse of gas cylinder may endanger your life and the lives of people you love. Keep it in a safe and shaded place, away from the sun and if possible, gas burners. Lighters, insecticides and toxic detergents should be out of children’s reach.
- When a gas leak happens, immediately open all doors and windows to ventilate and reduce the concentration of leaked gas. To locate the point of leakage, never use a burning matchstick near a gas cylinder, instead, use soap foam on the cylinder. Bubbles will form if there’s a leak. Avoid switching on the lights and exhaust fan, as they may serve as points of ignition.
- When a fire breaks out in the oil pan, do not pour water into the pan, as it ignites more fire. Cover the burning pan with a thick lid or cover it with a fire blanket.
- When a fire breaks out in the trash-bin, cover the burning trash-bin immediately with a damp cloth.
- In the kitchen, avoid wearing a flowing dress or a nylon mixed wear.
- Always keep the exhaust fan clean.
- Ensure the availability of a working fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in the kitchen, in case of minor fire breakout.
- Avoid storing flammable materials inside the kitchen.
Keeping Your Workplace Safe
- Ensure the availability of necessary safety equipment and devices in commercial and industrial establishments. Conduct fire evacuation drills regularly.
- Make sure that there are no obstructions in the corridors and emergency exits that could impede the passage and endangere lives when a fire breaks out.
- Comply with proper storage rules and maintenance of office equipment and devices.
- Arrange natural or mechanical ventilation for emergency exits.
Vehicle Safety
- Keep a fire extinguisher within reach inside your vehicle.
- Do not overload the vehicle. Stop frequently if you are driving long distance.
- Be cautious of decreasing the coolant in the radiator and maintain the coolant at a ‘good’ level to minimise the possibility of fire breakout inside the vehicle.
- Switch off the engine and refrain from smoking and using mobile phones while fueling the vehicle.
In Case of Emergency
- Always keep with you your address including building number, street number and zone number, as this will help the emergency service to reach you quickly when needed.
- When a fire breaks out, keep away from the source of heat and fire and evacuate the place immediately. Call ‘999’, Qatar’s emergency number.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first aid kit, within reach. Educate everyone who works or lives with you on the proper usage of these devices. Everyone should be aware of early warning and automatic fire extinguisher systems of the buildings, such as smoke, fire and gas detectors.
- Do not overload the electricity by using multiple devices on a single electrical transformer and avoid the use of bad electrical tools, whether in electrical connections or transformers.