The Director-General of Civil Defence, Brigadier Pilot Ali Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, has urged citizens and residents to adopt essential safety and security measures to prevent fires during the summer season.
He highlighted that electrical overloads and negligence in the maintenance of household appliances are key causes of electrical short circuits and subsequent fires. He also noted that high temperatures and heavy electrical loads can accelerate the spread of fires.
He pointed out that Civil Defence teams responded to approximately 1,258 fire incidents during the summer of 2023 and 1,441 incidents during the summer of 2024.
He stressed the importance of avoiding the simultaneous use of multiple appliances on a single power source, disconnecting unused devices to reduce energy consumption and fire risk, and conducting regular maintenance of electrical devices and wiring quality. He also urged drivers to maintain their vehicles and inspect cooling systems regularly. He affirmed that adhering to these safety recommendations helps reduce the likelihood of fires and minimises potential damage.
He emphasised that community cooperation in following Civil Defence guidelines remains vital in protecting lives and property.
The Director-General also highlighted the Civil Defence’s ongoing preventive efforts, which include launching awareness programmes aligned with the summer season. These initiatives involve public training courses, workshops, and on-site inspection campaigns that offer safety advice and distribute brochures at commercial establishments, shared residential buildings, and fuel stations to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The General Directorate of Civil Defence is upgrading its fleet with modern equipment and vehicles to enhance response speed and efficiency. It also incorporates advanced geographic information systems (GIS) to enable faster dispatch to incident sites, thereby reducing response times and contributing to the saving of lives and property protection.
