Achieving general safety during Ramadan is a very important matter, whether it’s in the home, workplace, markets or on the road etc., ensuring fire extinguisher in the houses and workplaces are functioning properly, perfect knowledge on how to use a fire extinguisher properly, good electrical connections, safe connection of the gas in the kitchen, not leaving the cooking pans on the stove for a long period without surveillance, switching off the stove immediately after cooking, switching on the exhaust fan, monitoring the children in the kitchen and alertness while cooking are some of the safety measures that should be taken by us for ensuring our general safety.

Drivers, in general, are requested to strictly follow all traffic rules and regulations. They should especially NOT overspeed before Iftar time, park their vehicles wrongly in front of mosques during the night prayer or occupy parking spaces specifically meat for those with special needs. They should always give way to emergency vehicles so they can pass without any obstructions and guarantee providing the rights of pedestrians. In addition to this, heavy drivers should follow the no entry timings and not enter these areas.

Traffic safety in Ramadan

1. Don’t rush to reach the Iftar place

It is preferred to start early before the Iftar time as the period before Iftar has been noticed as the most vulnerable time for traffic accidents during the holy month of Ramadan.

2. Safety of children

Be cautious of allowing children to play on internal roads in residential areas, especially during the night time, to keep them away from road accidents. Please allow them to play only at designated areas for playing.

3. Don't park vehicles wrong

Please avoid wrong parking of vehicles, obstructing the movement of traffic on the road, especially during the night prayer timings like Taraweeh or midnight.

4. Collision accidents

Before crossing the road, please ensure that the road is completely free from vehicles on both sides, especially during peak hours and cross the road only at designated points for crossing.

5. Shopping

Please avoid last day shopping for Ramadan and Eid and finish it early enough to avoid traffic jams and parking at no-parking areas because of the heavy rush on the roads.

Garangao night

The Qatari society celebrates the local fiesta of 'Garangao Night' on the 15^th night of Ramadan. On this occasion, children walk around residential areas to collect the sweets and gifts offered by neighbours. Please be extra cautious while driving on the road during this night and please take enough safety measures for ensuring the safety of small children.

Protection from food poisoning

• Please check the validity of canned, frozen or preserved foodstuff and also make sure that there isn’t any change in their smell, colour or texture.
• Ensure the foodstuff has been kept in a clean and closed place or in the refrigerator.
• Make sure the place and food are clean and neat whenever you dine out.

Protection from fire in the kitchen

1. When you smell gas odour

• Immediately ventilate the place by opening all doors and windows to eliminate or reduce the concentration of the leaked gas.
• Avoid ventilation of the place by switching on the exhaust fan, because the leaked gas has the specialty of instant ignition and an electric spark. Switching on a fan or a light may serve as a point of ignition to the highly inflammable gas.
• Please use soap foam for locating the leakage of the gas and never use a burning matchstick near a gas cylinder to locate the place of leakage.
  

2. When fire breaks out in an oil pan

Please cover the burning pan with a fire blanket to prevent oxygen from reaching it and avoid pouring water into an oil pan as it will ignite the fire.

3. When fire breaks out in the trash bin

Cover the burning trash bin immediately with a fire blanket or damp cloth to prevent oxygen from reaching it, which is the main factor for ignition of fire.

4. Protection from the fire in the kitchen

• Please equip your house with a suitable fire extinguisher and ensure its validity and functionality.
• Please don’t leave the children alone in the kitchen or nearby hot and burning materials or electrical power sources.
• In the kitchen, please don’t put on flowing dresses or nylon mixed wears as it may cause fire to ignite.

Emergency

In case of any emergency, don’t get scared, but act wisely and immediately call emergency No. 999 (emergency no. for the deaf: 992)

My Address

Always keep your address details such as building no., street no. and zone no. with you as these will help the emergency response agencies in Qatar to reach you quickly if there is an emergency.

Begging

Begging is considered as reprehensible behaviour. If you see somebody begging, please report to the Anti-Begging Section at theCriminal Investigation Department on +974 2347444 / 33618627. The approved charity organisations are the official agencies in the country to help needy and poor people.

For more information on Ramadan in Qatar, check out our one-stop guide to this blessed and holy month: http://www.ramadan.qa/

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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