Women learn fire safety lessons in Abu Dhabi

abu dhabi — With building fires increase in the summer, a women’s association in Abu Dhabi held a safety workshop. Officers from the Community Police Department and NMC Specialty Hospital nursing department gave tips to women on ways to tackle such a situation.

The session organised by Indian Ladies Association(ILA) focused on effective fire safety management.

Two officers from the Community Police Department said if the fire is small then they must use extinguishers and call civil defence immediately. Officers said housewives and children are the mostaffected during a daytime fire.

The women in the audience were anxious to know about steps to be taken in situations like the recent high-rise building fire in London. The officer said the women need to always be aware of the evacuation process.

“In high-rise buildings, evacuation is always important and they should know ways to get out of the flat and building. Every building has its own fire safety regulation and emergency evacuation process. People need to be familiar with such processes,” the officer said.

Another officer said it is important to teach everyone about misuse of electrical devices.

“The summer season sees more use of electrical equipment,” the officer said, pointing out cases of short circuits, overloaded socket points and maintenance of air conditioners among others as things to look out for.

Kitchen fires too are very common, they said. “Always be on alert in the kitchen and keep things that catches fire away from the cooking area. Don’t leave the kitchen when you are frying or grilling,” the officer said. The officers gave pointers on basic first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

ILA general secretary Annu Chouraria noted safety has no holiday. “Most of the time we take safety for granted. Such a session has helped us with immediate acts of emergency, quick contact, first aid etc.