Dubai: By October 1, 2017, residents in Sharjah will be required to have smoke detectors installed in their homes.
According to a circular issued by Sharjah’s Civil Defence, owners of buildings and homes have until September 30 to fit in the fire-safety measures.
However, new buildings and apartments have until 2018 to install smoke detectors on the premises before the fire-safety rule is enforced across the board.
Since the beginning of the year, Sharjah Civil Defence has carried out a number of awareness campaigns on the importance of installing fire-safety measures in homes.
According to the Ministry of Interior, 54 per cent of all recorded fire accidents that broke out in villas and homes in the UAE did not have any fire-safety measures in place.
Gulf News previously reported that in 2016, the UAE recorded 0.023 deaths per 10,000 people between 2010-2014, which put it ahead of fire accident rate in many advanced countries like United States, United Kingdom and France.
How to fire-proof your home
- Install a smoke alarm and ever month, check to see if they work.
- Keep children out of the kitchen when cooking.
- Use plugs safely. If you put too many plugs in one socket, it can start a fire.
- Check for broken plugs and wires.
- If you smoke, make sure cigarettes are put out properly.
- Put candles in a holder, and make sure they are away from curtains or papers.
Source: UK Fire Service
