Electrical chargers built into furniture are a major cause of house fires

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority warned that modern furniture pieces, such as sofas and smart tables equipped with electric charging units, have turned from means of comfort into major causes of fire accidents in homes, as a result of manufacturing defects and misuse.

The authority called on the public to fully adhere to preventive safety guidelines when dealing with furniture equipped with built-in electrical outlets, to avoid the dangers of electrical short circuits and ensure the safety of lives and property.

She confirmed to “Emirates Today” that the electrical technologies integrated into the furniture, it is true that they facilitate daily life, but they may pose a serious danger if they are misused.

The authority advised to avoid leaving devices charging for long periods, especially while sleeping or when leaving the place, with the need to check the cables regularly and stop using them immediately if they notice high temperature or damage, in addition to avoiding charging devices that consume high energy such as laptops in these compact units.

She also stressed the importance of ensuring that the furniture is provided with cables and plugs approved by the official authorities, noting the necessity of disconnecting the electrical current immediately and not using the furniture if any burning smell or change in the color of the socket until it is inspected, stressing that technological progress does not mean ignoring public safety rules.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority stressed the necessity of installing and maintaining home smoke detectors (Hassantuk), calling on the public to immediately call the unified emergency number (999) in the event of detecting any smoke escalation or an electrical short circuit.

In a related context, the Abu Dhabi Police General Command and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority launched the seventh edition of the “Summer Safely” campaign, which will continue until August 30, as part of their efforts to enhance security and safety and provide pioneering services that enhance community confidence, by spreading awareness of the preventive measures and safety requirements necessary to spend a safe summer.

The campaign focuses on enhancing community awareness of preventive behaviors that contribute to protecting lives and property during the summer, as it provides awareness messages to parents about the importance of monitoring children and not leaving children in swimming pools unsupervised or inside vehicles while shopping, as this may result in serious risks that threaten their safety.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority is participating in the campaign through awareness programs and field initiatives to enhance the prevention of fires and accidents during the summer, as part of its continuing efforts to establish a culture of safety, protect lives and property, and reduce risks associated with the season, by focusing on safety requirements in homes, workplaces, and facilities, most notably the safety of electrical installations, the installation of fire alarms, and participation in the “Hasantuk” system to enhance security and safety in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority called for supporting preventive efforts, and urged all individuals and institutions to adhere to safety conditions and adopt preventive behaviors, stressing that they represent the first line of defense to protect lives and property.

«Abu Dhabi Civil Defense»:

• Technological progress never means ignoring public safety rules.