Gas safety visits for 5,000 Dubai houses

The Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence will visit 5,000 randomly selected houses between December and March.

DUBAI // The municipality, Civil Defence and Emirates Gas will be making the rounds of 5,000 randomly selected houses as part of their joint campaign Safe Cylinder, Safe Home.

"Since we introduced the campaign in August we've only had one reported incident," said Maj Jamal Ahmed Ibrahim, the director of the preventive safety department at Civil Defence.

"It was due to a leak from a pipe which was improperly maintained and left under direct sunlight. Luckily, nobody was hurt."

During the house visits between next month and March, officials will also send out their message of gas cylinder safety through BlackBerry Messenger and TV and radio advertisements to raise awareness about the dangers of improper storage and maintenance.

Redha Hassan Salman, the director of public health and safety at the municipality, said all areas of Dubai would be covered. "We are about prevention because the outcome of accidents can be deadly."

The campaign advises consumers to buy gas cylinders and accessories from authorised distributors only, store cylinders in a well-ventilated spot not exposed to direct sunlight, regularly check the condition of cylinders, and keep fire extinguishers and blankets on hand.

In case of a leak or fire, immediately contact Civil Defence on 999 or 997. For gas-related services, contact the municipality on 800 900 or Emirates Gas on 800 36427.