Abu Dhabi: Sixty-six per cent of the fires across the UAE in 2016 occurred in homes, Civil Defence officials said at an exhibition held in Al Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
The exhibition, titled ‘Smoke detector is your home protector’, showcased various fire prevention methods, techniques and devices, such as smoke detectors. Brochures on public safety tips were also distributed at the venue.
The exhibition is part of the campaign aimed at reducing losses, and saving lives by warning residents to evacuate from their villas when a fire breaks out.
Colonel Mohammad Abdul Jalil Al Ansari, Director-General of Civil Defence in Abu Dhabi, said: “The rate of fire deaths double due to inhalation of toxic fumes when a fire breaks out. Houses without smoke detectors are four times more susceptible to fire deaths, compared to houses that have smoke detectors.”
Col Al Ansari added: “There’s a 50 per cent chance that lives can be saved when a fire breaks out. This indicates the need for continuous awareness on the importance of installing and maintaining home smoke detectors.”
