“Fire Department” suggests fire prevention precautionary measures during camping

• From January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, there were a total of 59 fire accidents.

• Placing a heat source near flammable materials, such as coal, resulted in 31 accidents.

• From January 1, to November 30, 2024, fire incidents involving placing a thermal source near flammable materials reached 33 accidents.

The Director of the Public Relations and Information Department of the General Fire Force, Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Gharib, confirmed on Wednesday, 18 December, the need to take into account fire prevention and safety measures during Kuwait’s camping season for 2024-2025.

Brigadier General Al-Gharib told KUNA that the safety requirements include ensuring there is sufficient spacing, with at least 5 to 6 meters between the tents, and a minimum of 10 meters between the tents, the kitchen, or the electric generator.

Furthermore, Brigadier General Al-Gharib highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of electrical extensions inside the tent, stressing the need not to use damaged or exposed wires and to extend them according to the safety requirements approved by the Ministry of Electricity and Water.

Brigadier General Al-Gharib stressed the importance of establishing camps away from high-pressure electricity towers and prohibited areas such as military installations and oil fields. He also advised choosing safe, elevated locations to avoid potential floods following rains, along with taking necessary precautionary measures in this regard.

In terms of exercising caution, Brigadier General Al-Gharib warned against the use of wooden floors inside tents due to safety concerns. He also emphasized the importance of having a sufficient number of exits in proportion to the size of the tent and advised against using charcoal in indoor spaces, whether in the tent or at home.

Brigadier General Al-Gharib stressed the importance of ensuring that coals are completely ignited and taking into account proper ventilation if it is necessary to use coal in enclosed spaces to prevent suffocation incidents. He also advised taking out the coal cycle before going to sleep and ensuring that it is properly extinguished in a safe place.

Moreover, Brigadier General Al-Gharib appealed to parents to closely monitor their children and prevent them from tampering with various heat sources. He stressed the importance of having fire protection equipment such as extinguishers, fire blankets, and first aid kits readily available inside the tent.

Brigadier General Al-Gharib stated that the General Fire Force, represented by the Department of Public Relations and Information, is committed to reminding the public of some guidelines and controls related to the safety of desert camps. This effort aims to protect lives and property, and to avoid violations and mistakes that could lead to fires and accidents.

Importantly, Brigadier General Al-Gharib highlighted that the Fire Force’s Public Relations Department is actively organizing awareness campaigns for visitors to the land and camps.

The department is also conducting field visits in coordination with relevant authorities across various camp sites, farms, and security points. The aim is to engage the public through various awareness activities, distribute safety equipment, and provide fire prevention materials. This initiative helps familiarize people with safety procedures in camps, starting from the selection of suitable locations for camping.

Brigadier General Al-Gharib urged both citizens and residents to strictly adhere to safety procedures, whether at home, in camps, or elsewhere. He emphasized the importance of acquiring and maintaining fire protection means, as well as training those who use them to ensure they are familiar with the methods of use and maintenance.

It’s noteworthy that Brigadier General Al-Gharib pointed to a statistic issued by the General Fire Force, which showed that from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, there were a total of 59 fire accidents caused by placing a heat source near combustible materials such as coal and heaters.

Brigadier General Al-Gharib stated that incidents of placing a heat source near flammable materials, such as coal, resulted in 31 accidents in the residential sector and 13 in other places like tents, totaling 44 accidents.

What’s more is that Brigadier General Al-Gharib indicated that there were 11 accidents involving placing a heat source near flammable materials such as; a fireplace in residential areas, and 4 incidents in other places like tents, totaling 15 accidents.

Regarding the percentage of fires from January 1, 2024, to November 30, Brigadier General Al-Gharib stated that the number of fire incidents involving placing a thermal source near flammable materials (coal-heater) reached 33 accidents.

These included 22 in residential areas and 8 in other places like tents, totaling 30 accidents. Additionally, there were 3 fires caused by the use of a fireplace in the residential sector.