Stop putting a cheap price on your safety

The recent deaths of three people in the UAE due to inhalation of fumes from the use of pesticides in neighbouring apartments could have been averted had the residents who hired the pest control companies cared to check their credentials.

The sad reality is that most people are unaware of the nature of chemicals used in pesticide formulas and how they work. Driven by the blanket belief that all pesticides kill only pests, and that every and any form of pest control necessarily leads to a ‘healthy’ home, an ironic premise to say the least, people do not educate themselves on the impact these chemicals have on humans.

Compounding this situation are unskilled, unregistered operators who lure ignorant residents with low-cost services into compromising on the most important aspect of their life - their health. It is the duty of every individual to be informed on all aspects of pest control as a household operation for reasons of safety.

The Dubai Municipality has a call centre as well as a Public Health Pest Control Section that provides information on approved and registered pest control operators. It also adheres to a grading system for these companies who are evaluated regularly.

So there is no excuse to stay ignorant and harm yourself, and perhaps others around you, by opting for cheap services and unpredictable consequences. While the authorities need to completely weed out the unscrupulous operators, it is also the responsibility of every resident to stay informed and stop putting a cheap price on his own health and safety.