Muscat – The Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (CDAA) has expanded its summer awareness campaign to curb seasonal accidents, with a focus on drowning incidents and vehicle and electrical fires.

Lt Col Mohammed bin Saeed Al Hatami, Director of Operations at CDAA, said the authority has adopted a preventive strategy targeting various segments of society through field programmes, training workshops and multilingual safety content.

He noted that drowning at beaches and swimming pools remains one of the most frequent summer hazards, particularly in governorates that witness increased tourism and family outings. Vehicle and electrical fires also rise during the hotter months, often linked to poor maintenance and excessive use of air-conditioning systems in homes, factories and commercial establishments.

CDAA has launched short educational videos simulating real-life incidents and outlining correct emergency response procedures. Awareness booths have been set up at shopping centres to educate families on the safe use of home equipment. The authority has also participated in exhibitions and conducted field visits to factories, workshops and farms.

Workshops on evacuation procedures and first aid have been organised for employees in public and private sector institutions to strengthen preparedness and improve emergency response awareness.

Lt Col Al Hatami said CDAA has moved beyond its traditional role of responding to emergency calls by promoting a culture of prevention through simplified and accessible information.

“Safety is not merely a slogan but a deeply rooted principle centred on safeguarding people and national assets,” he said. He added that prevention, rapid intervention and public awareness remain central to the authority’s work.

He stressed that summer fires are not caused by high temperatures alone. “Heat acts only as a contributing factor, while unsafe practices remain the main cause of many fires,” he said.

According to Lt Col Al Hatami, many incidents result from neglected maintenance, substandard electrical connections and prolonged operation of devices under heavy load. He described regular inspection of electrical and air-conditioning systems as the “first line of defence” against summer fires, as it helps detect overheating in wiring and panels before it escalates.

He also warned against using unqualified workers for electrical repairs in an attempt to cut costs, saying such practices can lead to serious losses of life and property. He urged residents and business owners to rely on accredited technicians and service providers.

CDAA will continue its awareness programmes throughout the summer, he said, stressing that protecting lives and property requires cooperation between institutions and the wider community.