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In light of the recent blaze at The Address Downtown and the major fire that gutted the Al Shamsi Building in Deira, fires have become a major concern for UAE residents living in high-rises.
These are just two incidents in a list of fires that have occurred across the Emirate The Torch in Marina, Tamweel Tower in JLT, and Regal Tower in Business Bay to name a few. Its not always clear what the cause of these fires are, however most incidents are caused by overcrowding, lack of fire safety systems, and recklessness. In order to prevent potentially destructive fires, here are some tips and procedures along with government initiatives residents can follow.
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EliminateHazards
- Store all flammable materials away from anything that can burn
- Do not let garbage accumulate in or around your home
- Replace frayed wires, wires with dried out insulation, loose switches, and faulty devices that get extremely overheated
- Do not run extension cords behind rugs or curtains
- Do not overload circuits
- Keep candles away from all flammable items and never leave them unattended
Prevention
- Keep fire blankets and extinguishers accessible in the home
- Check your smoke detectors regularly and replace batteries twice a year
- Fires can be caused by the vents on clothing dryers, so clean them out once a year
- Never dispose of cigarettes out of windows or in the rubbish
The Escape Plan
- In case of a fire, develop a quick and safe exit strategy and an outdoor meeting point
- Assign household members responsibility of the elderly, infants, and pets during the evacuation
- If you live in a building, always take the stairs and walk down in a brisk but orderly fashion
- Always keep keys easily accessible