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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Use devices wisely to avoid fire mishaps

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Muscat, Sept 17 - Faulty wiring and use of low quality electrical devices are the main cause of frequently reported fire-related incidents in Muscat, according to technicians working in the field. Adding to that, they said not to forget the role of human carelessness while using electrical appliances.


A few cases of fire-related incidents were reported over the weekend by the Public Authority for Civil Defence (PACDA) in Muscat, in which the conditions of injured victims were said to be critical.


According to the technicians, the older apartments with worn-out wiring are more prone to short circuits. “While most people try to change their home décor over a period of time, little attention is given to the maintenance of electrical wirings and systems. Generally, residents react only when there is a fire-related incident,” said a technician at the main electricity distribution company in Muttrah.


He said overloading is one of the major factors. “You find in most homes in Muscat, people use a number of electronic devices overloading the electrical supply grid of that apartment,”


Short circuits if not handled swiftly can spread to nearby buildings or apartments and can be dangerous, he said.


According to experts, devices consume power even when switched off or are not in use. It is just not enough to switch the device off, but one should ensure that the main power switch connecting the device is also turned off.


The technician said the building residents should not ignore small incidents, because they may lead to bigger tragedies if corrective measures are not taken in time. “It is necessary that all types of fire-related incidents are reported to landowners so that they can conduct a proper audit of the system,” he said.


“In cities like Muscat, we need to be extra careful because of the extreme heat conditions. There should be safety campaigns for the residents because simple mistakes can lead to serious fatal incidents,” said George, an electrician based in Muscat.


Electricians operating in the field also want people to look out for gadgets that the meet the electrical voltage specifications for Oman, because the requirements differ from country to country.


Vinod Nair


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