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.
Staff Major Eng. Ghanem Salem Al Nuaimi, Director of the Prevention Department at the General Directorate of Civil Defense, told the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that preventing fires in residential buildings and shopping centers starts with public commitment to safety rules, alongside regular maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems by building owners.
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 said common violations include blocking emergency exits, using them for storage, failing to maintain fire protection systems, overloading electrical networks and leaving cooking or heat sources unattended.
Al Nuaimi said cooperation with government and private sector entities is being strengthened to promote safety as a daily practice rather than a set of instructions.
He said 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. Other limited incidents involving kitchens or vehicles were controlled because people acted calmly and contacted emergency services quickly.
He highlighted the importance of the first minutes of a fire, saying having a functioning extinguisher and knowing how to use it can help reduce losses. He also stressed the need for rapid evacuation and avoiding returning to danger zones.
Regarding swimming pool safety, Al Nuaimi said Civil Defense places strong emphasis on safety requirements, especially in homes, due to risks to children and elderly people.
He advised installing secure barriers around pools, providing basic rescue equipment, ensuring safe electrical installations and lighting, supervising children at all times, avoiding electrical devices near water and maintaining pools regularly.
The official said Civil Defense reviews and applies technical safety standards for buildings through its Civil Defense Technical Requirements Guide, launched in 2022.
The guide covers building design requirements, fire alarms and suppression systems, emergency exits, evacuation routes, ventilation systems and fire-resistant construction materials. Civil Defense teams also conduct inspections after construction to ensure systems remain operational and standards are followed.
Meanwhile, Staff Colonel Mohammed Abdul Karim Al Qahtani, Assistant Director of the Operations Department at the General Directorate of Civil Defense, told QNA that vehicle fire incidents recorded during the first half of this year declined significantly compared with the same period last year.
Motorists' awareness level has improved noticeably, especially with the spread of public awareness campaigns and carrying out regular vehicle maintenance, Staff Colonel Al Qahtani said.
He noted, however, some of the risks that still do not receive sufficient attention, these include: fuel leaks, unusual odors, and engine overheating.
By delaying having their vehicles checked despite clear warning signs of a malfunction, motorists let a minor issue turn into a serious accident, Staff Colonel Al Qahtani added.
The Director of the Operations Department stressed the importance of routine maintenance, particularly inspecting electrical wiring, the battery, fuel hoses, and oil levels.
He also advised against making unauthorized electrical modifications or installing additional devices that do not meet approved specifications.
Staff Colonel Al Qahtani urged drivers not to leave flammable materials inside their vehicles, especially during periods of high temperatures, and emphasized the importance of keeping a suitable fire extinguisher in their vehicles and knowing how to use it before an emergency occurs.
He also noted a number of common mistakes, one of which is attempting to extinguish a fire without first ensuring personal safety or stopping in a location that creates a hazard for other road users.
He pointed out that the correct course of action is to stop the vehicle in a safe place, switch off the engine, evacuate all passengers, contact emergency services, and then use a fire extinguisher only if it is safe to do so. If the fire has already become well developed, motorists should move away from the vehicle immediately and go to a safe location.
Another frequent error is continuing to drive after noticing smoke, the smell of something burning, or an abnormally high engine temperature, he said.
Staff Colonel Al Qahtani also noted that some drivers immediately open the hood completely, which can increase the flow of oxygen to the fire and cause it to spread more rapidly.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense carried out awareness campaigns through media outlets and social media platforms, in addition to participating in exhibitions and community events, with the aim of promoting a culture of prevention and encouraging safe practices, he added.
Al Qahtani concluded his remarks to QNA highlighting that the Operations Department has a modern fleet of vehicles and equipment to respond to all emergency reports across Qatar.
He emphasized that public and personal safety is a shared responsibility and that protecting lives and property remains the Operations Department's primary objective.
