Doha: Qatar's General Directorate of Civil Defense has intensified fire prevention efforts during the summer season, focusing on public awareness campaigns and compliance with safety requirements to reduce risks to lives and property. Despite increased awareness, officials said some unsafe practices continue to contribute to fires, including leaving flammable materials inside vehicles, ignoring signs of faults, overloading electrical systems, and neglecting safety measures.

According to Qatar News Agency, Staff Major Eng. Ghanem Salem Al Nuaimi, Director of the Prevention Department at the General Directorate of Civil Defense, emphasized the importance of public commitment to safety rules in preventing fires in residential buildings and shopping centers. He urged residents to avoid overloading electrical connections and to regularly check wiring and household appliances. For commercial buildings, he stressed the importance of keeping emergency exits and corridors clear, training staff on fire response procedures, and immediately reporting incidents through the emergency number 999 or the "Contact Us" service on the Metrash application.

Al Nuaimi pointed out common violations, such as blocking emergency exits, using them for storage, failing to maintain fire protection systems, overloading electrical networks, and leaving cooking or heat sources unattended. He highlighted the need for cooperation with government and private sector entities to promote safety as a daily practice. He remarked that many fire incidents could have been prevented through regular maintenance, noting that some cases began with minor electrical faults that could have been detected earlier. The importance of the first minutes of a fire was underscored, with Al Nuaimi advising that having a functioning extinguisher and knowing how to use it can help reduce losses.

In vehicle safety, Staff Colonel Mohammed Abdul Karim Al Qahtani, Assistant Director of the Operations Department, reported a significant decline in vehicle fire incidents during the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. Awareness among motorists has improved, and public awareness campaigns have been effective, he noted. However, risks such as fuel leaks, unusual odors, and engine overheating still require attention. He emphasized routine maintenance, particularly inspecting electrical wiring, the battery, fuel hoses, and oil levels.

Al Qahtani advised against unauthorized electrical modifications and stressed the importance of not leaving flammable materials inside vehicles, especially in high temperatures. He highlighted common mistakes, such as trying to extinguish a fire without ensuring personal safety or stopping in hazardous locations. Al Qahtani concluded by stressing that public and personal safety is a shared responsibility, with the primary objective of protecting lives and property.