Civil Defense guidelines for safety during hiking and rain
As part of its ongoing commitment to the safety of citizens and residents, the General Directorate of Civil Defense has reiterated its urgent calls for strict adherence to public safety guidelines when going out for picnics and desert excursions. These warnings come in light of the fluctuating weather conditions currently affecting some regions of the Kingdom, necessitating the utmost caution to ensure safe and accident-free trips.
Vital guidelines to avoid risks
The directorate stressed in its statement the importance of choosing safe and suitable locations for outings, categorically warning against sitting or approaching valleys, flood channels, and low-lying areas that may be prone to sudden flooding. It also emphasized the necessity of informing family or friends of the intended destination and expected return time to ensure a swift response in case of any emergency.
Regarding children's safety, the directorate warned against leaving them unattended near water pools and swamps left by rain, cautioning against swimming in them due to their unsafe and treacherous muddy bottoms. The guidelines also addressed the dangers of heating methods and fires, emphasizing the need to ventilate tents when using charcoal or firewood to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and to ensure that fires are completely extinguished before sleeping. The directorate also stressed the importance of carrying a portable fire extinguisher as a basic precaution.
General context and the importance of community awareness
These warnings are particularly important in Saudi Arabia, where camping and outdoor excursions are an integral part of the local culture and social heritage, especially during the rainy season and periods of mild weather. Given the Kingdom's geography, which includes numerous valleys and ravines, the risk of flash floods poses a significant challenge. Water can travel long distances, surprising hikers in areas where no rain has fallen, making adherence to Civil Defense instructions a matter of life and death.
Contacting security authorities
The Directorate urged everyone to obtain information from official sources and follow weather updates through reliable media outlets and social media accounts. For assistance in emergencies, the Directorate reminded the public of the unified emergency numbers: call 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and call 998 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Directorate wished everyone safety.
