The General Directorate of Civil Defense has reiterated its urgent appeal to citizens and residents to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to safety guidelines while picnicking and camping. This warning comes as part of the Directorate's ongoing efforts to protect lives and property, especially given the fluctuating weather conditions that some areas may experience, which necessitates a high level of public awareness of potential hazards.
The importance of choosing the location and avoiding risks
The directorate emphasized in its statement the importance of choosing safe and suitable locations for outings, categorically warning against sitting or being present in valleys, floodplains, and low-lying areas. These areas are among the most dangerous, as water can flow through them suddenly and rapidly (flash floods), posing an imminent threat that is difficult to avert at the last minute. The directorate also stressed the necessity of informing family and relatives of the intended destination and expected return time to ensure a swift response in case of any emergency, God forbid, especially in areas where communication networks may be weak.
Fire safety and suffocation hazards
In a related context concerning camping safety, the directorate focused on the dangers associated with lighting fires and using charcoal inside tents or enclosed spaces. It emphasized the necessity of ventilating tents well when lighting charcoal to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, a gas known as the silent killer because it is colorless and odorless. The directorate also stressed the importance of completely extinguishing fires and ensuring they are out before sleeping, and the necessity of having a suitable portable fire extinguisher in the vehicle or at the campsite to immediately address any sparks that may fly.
Child protection and family responsibility
The directorate also emphasized the importance of child protection, urging parents to constantly supervise their children and prevent them from playing near waterlogged areas and swamps left by rain. It warned against swimming in these areas, as they are often muddy and unexpectedly deep, increasing the risk of tragic drownings. Parental responsibility for closely monitoring children is the first line of defense against such tragedies during recreational outings.
Communication channels and emergency numbers
In closing, the General Directorate of Civil Defense emphasized the importance of obtaining information from official sources and following safety guidelines and instructions published through various media outlets and the Directorate's verified social media accounts. For assistance in emergencies, the Directorate provided the unified emergency numbers: call 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, and 998 in the rest of the Kingdom. The Directorate wished everyone safety and well-being.
