In the wake of three house fires this week in Al-Ahsa, Qatif, and Samtah that left 10 dead and more than four injured, Saudi safety expert Amer Al-Saleh called for strengthening prevention and safety measures inside homes, considering them the first line of defense to protect lives and property before disasters strike. Al-Saleh told Al-Watan of the importance of preparing virtual home evacuation plans, similar to evacuation plans implemented in schools and workplaces, and familiarizing all family members, young and old, with emergency exits and procedures for responding when fires break out. He also stressed the need to implement awareness and training programs within the family to deal with fires, and to practice using and maintaining fire extinguishers. Substandard wires: The safety expert pointed out that the recurrence of home fires during the summer requires families to master the principles of home safety to avoid human and material losses, noting that recent incidents related to air conditioning units, along with previous fires caused by the use of substandard wires and phone chargers, underscore the importance of adhering to safety requirements and avoiding low-quality products. He explained that among the most prominent causes of home fires in summer is neglecting to inspect electrical connections for air conditioning units, as loose wires connected to electrical switches cause them to overheat, leading to fire. He called for hiring a specialized electrician to periodically inspect and tighten connections. He added that using low-quality electrical switches and curtains increases the speed of fire spread, stressing the importance of replacing them with products that meet specifications and are of high quality. Continuous operation: Al-Saleh warned against continuously running air conditioning units throughout the summer months without a break, noting that this increases operational loads and raises the likelihood of malfunctions. He recommended operating units alternately, or reducing their operating hours at night whenever possible, to reduce strain on them. He also pointed out that many homes lack fire extinguishers, and even when available, a large proportion of residents do not know how to use or maintain them, stressing that owning an extinguisher alone is not enough unless accompanied by training on its use and readiness to handle emergencies.

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