With temperatures rising to the mid- to upper 40s around Qatar this month, the likelihood of fires occurring at home is also going up.

According to the Ministry of Interior (MOI), such blazes are often caused by “negligence, high temperatures and lack of knowledge on preventive measures.”

To help reduce incidences, officials have shared a few preventive measures that residents to keep people safe. Their suggestions include:

1. Turn off air conditioners when leaving the room.

Dust can settle over electrical components on air conditioners that are left on continuously or for long periods of time.

This can cause an overload that generates excess heat, leading to a fire, the MOI said.

2. Check gas cylinders

Gas fires are considered among the most dangerous types of fires, officials warned.

To prevent these from happening, keep an eye on energy sources. Make sure your gas cylinders are properly closed before you leave the house or head to bed for the night.

3. Keep an eye on children

Make sure young children stay away from electrical sources such as exposed wires and power sockets.

Using quality electrical appliances can also help to ensure safety.

4. Don’t overload sockets

Avoid overloading your sockets with too many plugs.

According to the MOI, you should, “plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.”

5. Keep things clean

Cleaning your exhaust fans and avoiding running them for a long time can also help prevent fires.

Similarly, regularly cleaning AC filters of dust will reduce the likelihood of overheating and electrical short circuits.

And in case of an emergency…

Call 999, and keep your building number, street number and zone number on hand at all times.

Also, keep fire extinguishers on hand – in your home or car – and learn how to use them properly.

Previous cases

Home safety is particularly in the spotlight after 11 people died in a fire that broke out at a labor camp last month.

But construction sites and other venues can also be fire-prone in Qatar. Just this year, many reported fires have broken out.

For example, in April, Caravan, one of many eateries in a complex near Ramada signal, burned for several hours, after faulty wiring caused a fire.

That same April, the under-construction Mall of Qatar also caught on fire. No cause was ever released for that blaze.

How do you keep your home safe from fires? Thoughts?