Doha: The home is one of the most important places in which family members feel stable and safe. However, there are many risks that may lead to accidents for various reasons, including lack of knowledge, negligence, or lack of information about methods of prevention from various household accidents in general and in the month of Ramadan in particular.
Ministry of Interior (MoI) published some tips and advices related to home safety, traffic and public safety.
Fire Prevention
1.) When a fire breaks out in an oil pan, avoid pouring water into the pan as it ignites the fire. Cover the burning pan by placing a thick lid or cover it with fire blanket.
2.) When a fire breaks out in the trash bin, cover the burning trash bin immediately with a damp cloth in order to prevent oxygen from igniting the fire.
3.) When you smell a gas odor, immediately open all doors and windows to reduce the concentration of leaked gas. Do not use a burning matchstick near a gas cylinder to locate the place of leakage and avoid switching on the lights and exhaust fan for ventilation as they may serve as points of ignition to the highly inflammable gas and an electric spark from the switches of light or fan is sufficient to ignite the leaked gas.
4.) Make sure that there is a proper fire extinguisher in your house.
5.) Do not leave the match until it is completely extinguished.
6.) Do not allow children in the kitchen or nearby hot and burning materials or electrical power sources.
7.) Do not wear flowing dresses or nylon mixed wears in the kitchen in order to avoid catching fire.
8.) Make sure to put the gas cylinders in a cool and open place to get them under control easily when necessary and do not expose them to the sun.
Traffic safety in Ramadan
1.) Do not rush to reach the Iftar place and it is preferred to start early before the Iftar time as the time before Iftar is considered the most vulnerable time for traffic accidents during the month of Ramadan.
2.) Please avoid parking vehicles in wrong way that may obstruct traffic movement, especially during the prayer timings like Taraweeh or night prayers or Iftar gatherings.
3.) Ensure that the road is completely free from both sides before crossing, especially during peak hours and cross only through designated areas for pedestrian crossing.
4.) Do your shopping well in advance to prepare for Ramadan or Eid Al Fitr to avoid traffic jam.
5.) Don’t let the children play on the internal roads of the residential areas especially at night in order to ensure their safety from traffic accidents and allow them to play only in designated areas for playing.
6.) Night of Garangao: The Qatari society celebrates the local fiesta of “Garangao Night” on the 15th of Ramadan. Children roam in residential neighborhoods to receive their gifts of nuts and sweets distributed by homeowners, parents and neighbours. Please be careful and take safety measures on this night to prevent traffic accidents and preserve the safety of children who roam in residential neighborhoods to celebrate this occasion.
General Safety Tips in Ramadan
To prevent food poisoning,
1.) You must check the expiry date of canned, frozen or preserved foods, and check that there is no change in smell, colour or composition.
2.) Keep foodstuffs in clean and closed places or in the refrigerator.
3.) Ensure the cleanliness of the place and food when taking it from outside the house.
Begging
1) If you see beggars, please report Anti-Begging Section on 2347444 / 33618627.
2) Authorized charitable organizations are the best providers of assistance to eligible poor and needy people.
Emergency
1) In case of any emergency, do not get scared, but act wisely and contact emergency number 999 immediately.
2) Deaf emergency service 992