While summer is a time of fun and relaxation, it is essential to be mindful of potential risks and hazards. By following certain tips and warnings, you can avoid unnecessary accidents and ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for yourself and your loved ones.

The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team has put together a few tips and precautions to follow during this season that will help keep ourselves and others around us safe and protected.

Turn off home appliances to prevent accidents

• Water heaters are typically powered by gas or electricity; if left unattended, they can become a fire hazard. Keep them turned off when not in use.
• Get your appliances, such as air conditioners, coolers, and electric chimneys, regularly checked and serviced.
• Keep flammable substances such as detergents and other cleaning agents away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Ensure all electrical appliances are switched off when you leave the house.
• Turn off your exhaust fans when not in use and keep them clean and dust free to avoid accidents.

RELATED: Tips to prevent fire accidents during summer in Qatar

Car tips for summer

Car care is essential all year round, but it becomes essential during the scorching summer months. Here are some car care tips to follow during the summer to ensure your vehicle stays in top shape and safe.

• Storing lighters inside your vehicle can be extremely dangerous. The heat inside a car can cause lighters to explode or ignite, leading to a fire.
• Carbonated drinks can explode due to the pressure build-up caused by the heat.
• Devices with batteries, such as smartphones, tablets, or power banks, should not be left inside a vehicle for extended periods.
• Perfumes or hand sanitisers, especially those containing alcohol, should also be kept away from the heat of a car.
• Keep car windows slightly open when the car is parked to avoid overheating.
• Try to park your vehicle in a shaded area to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
• Avoid refilling the car fuel tank to its maximum capacity.
• As much as possible, try to refill car fuel during the evening.
• Avoid filling car tires with too much air to avoid an explosion.
• Always ensure your vehicle is equipped with an operational fire extinguisher.
• When travelling with children, do not leave them unattended in the car.

RELATED: Summer car care tips every driver in Qatar should know

Supervise kid's activities around water bodies

With the arrival of summer comes the desire for kids to spend hours splashing and playing in the pool. While swimming pools offer a refreshing way to beat the heat, they also pose potential hazards that parents and guardians must be aware of.

• Drowning and exposure to harmful chemicals are all risks that parents and guardians should supervise strictly.
• Follow safety instructions while swimming on the beaches or swimming pools, and wear a swimming jacket while swimming or other safety equipment.
• Always watch children while swimming and make sure that they swim only in designated areas for swimming.
• Proper swimming instructions and coaching must be taught to children in training centers.
• Parents need to learn how to administer CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) in order to save others.

RELATED: HMC advises to take precautionary measures as summer temperature rises

Avoid exposing LPG cylinders to direct sunlight

When LPG cylinders are exposed to sunlight for long durations, they can become significantly hotter than the surrounding environment. This excessive heat can cause the pressure inside the cylinder to reach unsafe levels, leading to a potential explosion or leakage. Proper storage of LPG cylinders is crucial to eliminate the threat of an explosion or fire.

Don't forget to apply sunscreen lotions

Applying sunscreen during the summer is not only important but also essential for maintaining healthy skin. As the sun's rays become stronger and more intense, it is crucial to protect our skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunscreen acts as a protective shield and prevents sunburns, reducing the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing.

Minimise electricity consumption

With temperatures often surpassing 45 degrees Celsius, it becomes essential for residents and businesses to rely heavily on air conditioning units to stay cool. However, this high dependence on cooling systems leads to a surge in electricity usage, pushing the country's power grid to its limits. Individuals can contribute to reducing electricity consumption by adopting simple yet effective habits.

• Adjusting air conditioning settings to slightly higher temperatures.
• Using natural ventilation methods whenever possible.

Helpline and Emergency Contacts

Sometimes even after following all the precautions, we can end up in situations that require intervention by professionals. Here are some of the important numbers one should keep handy in case of any emergency situation.

• Emergency Helpline numbers:
  • Ambulance/Fire/Accident: 999
• Emergency and trauma centers:
  • Hamad Hospital +974 4439 5777
  • Al Wakra Hospital:
    • Adults: +974 4011 4314
    • Children: +974 4011 4636 | +974 4011 4637 | +974 4011 4638
  • Women's Hospital: +974 4439 3296
  • Heart Hospital: +974 4439 5474 / +974 4439 5475
  • Al Khor Hospital: +974 4474 5654
  • HMC Hotline Advisory: (A 24-hour telephone advice facility to help you with health queries related to your child) +974 4439 6066
• Roadside assistance
  • AA Roadside Assistance: +974 3003 1241
  • Qatar Towing Service: +974 6602 6862 / +974 5088 4428

RELATED:

• Signs summer has arrived in Qatar
• Acts of kindness that you can do during summer in Qatar
• The dangers of leaving children in cars during summer
  

Would you recommend any other tips to follow this summer? Did you find this article useful? Let us know in the comment section and share this article- it keeps us going!

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Rikhia Basu

Start a discussion