Civil Defense: Safety guidelines when using heating appliances and emergency numbers

With the drop in temperatures and the arrival of winter, citizens and residents increasingly turn to various types of heating methods, whether electric, oil-based, or those relying on coal and firewood. In this context, the General Directorate of Civil Defense has reiterated its warnings and urgent calls for strict adherence to public safety guidelines to ensure this season passes without tragic accidents that could result from misuse or negligence.

Emergency numbers and area coverage

The General Directorate of Civil Defense emphasized the importance of rapid communication with the relevant authorities in the event of any emergency. It clarified the geographical distribution of emergency numbers to ensure a swift response, allocating the unified number (911) (998) continues to be used for reporting incidents in the rest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Vital guidelines for risk prevention

The directorate emphasized a set of instructions that must be strictly followed inside homes, most notably:

• Supervise children: Do not allow children to approach or tamper with heaters, as burns to children are among the most common household accidents in winter.
• Good ventilation: It is necessary to provide adequate ventilation for rooms when using heating appliances, especially those that run on wood, coal, or kerosene, to avoid the accumulation of toxic carbon monoxide gas, known as the “silent killer,” as it is colorless and odorless and causes suffocation during sleep.
• Turn off heaters when going to sleep: Make sure to turn off all heating appliances before going to sleep or when leaving the house, to avoid electrical short circuits or sudden fires.
• Proper use: The directorate warned against using heaters for purposes other than those for which they are intended, such as heating food or drying clothes, or placing them near furniture, curtains, and flammable materials.

Safety context and the importance of community awareness

These warnings are part of the General Directorate of Civil Defense's annual efforts to raise awareness of preventative measures among members of the community. Statistics and periodic reports from previous winter seasons indicate that a significant percentage of house fires and cases of suffocation result from negligence in applying simple safety procedures, such as leaving charcoal burning in enclosed rooms or overloading electrical circuits by operating high-voltage heaters.

Adhering to these instructions is not merely a routine procedure, but a societal responsibility that contributes to protecting lives and property. The Directorate urges everyone to promote a culture of safety within the family and to ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of heating appliances before their actual use, especially as cold spells intensify.