With the cooperation of the Lebanese Fire Prevention Commitee – LFPC

Your Newspaper for Public Safety – Issue 10 .org saturday, March 22, 2008 Published by YASA with THE DAILY Star www.dailystar.com.lb YASA Group for Public Safety International Non-Governmental Organization With the cooperation of the Scientific Research Foundation

MEMORIAL Tribute to all victims

In memory of all those who lost their lives due to the various unintentional injuries that surround all human beings, whether it was domestic, road, school or others, YASA pre- sents you this public safety newspaper. Few days before the Mother’s Day, YASA dedicate this edition to all mothers whether injured or lost a beloved one due to uninten- Fire tional accidents. By Ziad M. Akl

EDITORIAL Towards Better Fire Safety Safety

This edition comes to highlight the risks and hazards due to the various types of fires and to show the importance of fire safety promotion. It is a human right to have a fire safe environment. All around the world fire safety and health is addressed through various organizations. YASA and LFPC cooperated together to promote the importance of fire safety promotion. All humans want to keep away from all types Promotion of fires and its consequences. Hence we wish everybody a life free from fires and burns. By Mona Khouri Akl

O YASA AGENDA N Listen to YASA program on Voice Civil Defense T of -VDL, every Friday at V 6:20 p.m ( time). 125

& Every Wednesday on anb TV station, at 9:30 a.m, and the rerun at 4:30 p.m. R Sign the Online petition by visiting A Every Thursday on OTV station, at D 9:10 a.m, and Friday at 9:30 a.m. I O www.lfpc.org S www.yasa.org 2 .org saturday, march 22, 2008

First phase, Community Development Project _ CDP of the Council for Development and Reconstruction _ CDR LFPC equips 100s of public schools in South Lebanon with fire safety equipments

A school director receives the fire extinguishers

After the increasing threat on the lives gave trainings on how to use these dour, Shoukin, Zebdeen, (2), of students while at school due to the equipment in order to achieve higher Zefta. Al Nmeirieh, Al Sherkieh, Ad increasing fire incidents, the Lebanese performance in fighting fire. Dweir, Jibsheet, Kfer Fila, Ain Kana, Fire Prevention Committee- LFPC The public schools in South Lebanon , Jarjouaa, Zouhair Chehada- Jar- started an initiative to distribute fire received fire safety equipments till ….. jouaa, Al , Bent Jbeil(2), Jmeil safety equipments to public schools 2008 are in the following: Jaber Bezi- Bent Jbeil, Rmeish, Abed Al in South Lebanon, in collaboration Kindergartens: , Kfer Latif Saad, Ain Ebel, Kouneen, Berglieh, Mogtarebi Ein B’al, Hanaway, Abasiya, with the Committee Development Remman, Al Nabatieh Fawka, Toura, Ber’asheet, Jmaijma, , Kherbet Kana, Al Adayse, Al Klai’a, Belat, Jdaidet Ein B’al, Kana, Marj’yon, Al Khyam, Project- CDP of the Council for Devel- Technical Schools: Bent Jbeil, Tyre , Selm (2), Kfer Doneen, Harisa (2), Marj’yon, Dbeen, Kfer Kela, Ebel Al Sa- Majdelselm, Al Marwanieh, Al Ser- opment and Recnstruction- CDR. This Kfer Heta …. Sydet Al Bshara – Rmeish, Al Bazouria, ki, Al Khyam, Mar Jerjes, Al Marwanieh afend, Kfer Heta …. initiative in its first phase covered the Elementaries: Deb’al, Al Hmairy, Al Shehabieh, Al Masaken, Tyre (2), (2), Al Kherayeb, Al Serafend (2), Kfer The second phase of the project will governorates of Al Nabatieh, Tyre, Shouhadaa M’raka, Al Bazouria, Al Berj Al Shemaly, Deir Kifa, Joieh, Al Melky, Kfer Heta, Al Mjaydel, Al Krya, take place in the governorates of Ba- Marjaayon and Bent Jbeil, whereby Shehabieh, Tyre, Joieh, Toura, Jbaa, Shahid Hasan Kasir- Deir Kanon Al Haret Saida, Ein Al Delb …. troun and Koura in collaboration with each school was given fire extinguish- Kefra, Majdelselm …. Nehr, Toura, Ma’roub, Al Shahid Mon- High Schools: Remmal Remmal, Al George Nassim Khoriaty Foundation. ers, smoke detector alarms and fire Intermedates: Shouhadaa Deir eer Saad- Barish, Khalil Jerady, Al Nabatieh, Jibsheet, Mayfadoun, Hasan LFPC hopes to reach all public blankets, in addition to thousands of Zehrani, Mayfadoun, Kfer Remmen Shahid Mohammad Saad, Tayer Deba, Kamel Al Sabah, Jbaa, Arabsalim, Bent schools around Lebanon to prevent brochures and posters and YASA.org (2), Samih Dakhil Chaheen, Al Haj Al Shahid Mershed Al Nahas, Sma’ieh, Jbeil, Rmeish, Kefra, Tebneen, Al more tragic fire accidents. newspapers. Mahmmoud Fakih, Hasan Halal, Deir Kanon Ras Al Ein, Elma Shaab, Al Sayed Mohsen Al Ameen, Al Sheha- A professional team from LFPC Haboush, Haroof, Hasan Hamad Ghan- Nakoura, Al Abasiya, Berj Rahal, bieh, Tyre (2), Elma Shaab, Al By Joseph Ballan Lebanese Fire Prevention Committee- LFPC

In 1998, a group of university friends tion awareness, to advocate protec- habits. To this day the LFPC remains ty in buildings according to interna- witnessed a very big ship burning with tion of environmental resources, and one of the very few organizations to tional standards, which was enacted its full capacity of fuel close to the to boost networking among various advocate and lobby for fire safety in in March 2005. Following the enact- seaport of Beirut. After knowing that parties concerned with public safety the whole of the Middle East region. ment of the decree, the LFPC dedicat- the big losses leading to this tragedy and fire protection i.e. secure effec- After years of activism now, LFPC has ed a major number of its activities to were due to lack of awareness and tiveness of solutions to problems aris- around 100 members from different make the Lebanese citizens aware of malpractice and such tragedies could ing from fires. backgrounds. Among them are sur- the crucial role of this decree in pre- have been easily prevented, friends Since 1999, the LFPC has been in- vivors of fire incidents, family mem- venting losses in building and facto- and parents of some victims joined volved in the protection of human bers of fire victims, physicians, engi- ries in the whole nation, namely it or- efforts and decided to establish a na- lives and the environment through or- neers, public health professionals, ganized press conferences and taking tional non-profit organization (NGO) ganizing and participating in activities lawyers, dentists, safety professionals, part in media talk shows/interviews. It to make the Lebanese people aware related to different fire safety in sever- - Disseminating specialized education- university and school students, inter- also carried out more than 100 pre- of the dangers of fires on public safety al countries. These endeavors include: al programs for school-aged children. ested public and others. sentations attended by students of and of the necessity to observe prac- - Fire safety interventions for more - Giving lectures for the military ser- The main activity of the organization different age groups. tices known to prevent such hazards than 50,000 students spread over the vice and university students on fire haz- Through its continuous efforts since Nowadays there is almost a daily and related tragic consequences. As different regions of Lebanon to pro- ards, ways to avoid them and essential 1998, namely awareness raising cam- coverage of fire incidents with exten- such, they founded the Lebanese Fire mote fire safety and injury prevention. measures to take in case of injury. paigns and lobbying, LFPC was able to sive reports on the situation of forests Prevention Committee (LFPC) in - Organizing a bi-annual nationwide Since fire safety has never been ad- secure in a relatively short time, public in Lebanon the problems faced, the 1998 with the aims to counter the student competition for fire related dressed before in Lebanon, LFPC’s attention, support and cooperation, as threats, and the possible solutions. In wide spread problem of fire accidents drawings, songs and poems to which ongoing campaigns have shown in- well as official interest and commitment the same context, LFPC has conduct- and related injuries and losses in the organization received thousands creased public awareness about fire to enhance protection from fire hazards. ed around five media interviews Lebanon (domestic fires, forest fires, of submissions. The outstanding ones safety issues. In addition, LFPC has re- The LFPC played a major role in weekly between television and radio industrial fires, and fires in buildings). were exhibited during LFPC’s National ceived a lot of feedback from parents drafting and securing the ratification concentrating on the prevention of LFPC also aims to spread fire preven- Fire Prevention Conferences. who have changed their unsafe of a new decree that ensures fire safe- forest fires. saturday, march 22, 2008 .org 3 LASSA and LFPC stress on the importance of School Fire Safety

According to the Lebanese Association for School Safety Awareness – LASSA school safety requires planning and con- stant vigilance. LASSA stresses that safe- ty inside the school is no more a matter of locking all the doors and windows, however all schools have to be aware of much more safety issues. Schools have to be aware of electronic threats includ- ing stealing confidential data and more. www.lassanet.org However LASSA also stresses that school safety has to be everyone's re- cords regularly, and disconnect appli- sponsibility which would include all staff ances where practical. from the principal through all the admin- G Keep all doorways clear. istrative staff to the smallest rank em- G Dispose of rubbish daily. ployee in the school. G Protect all unused outlets in With this in scope, LASSA in collab- kindergarten and pre-school nurseries oration with LFPC recommend the fol- with safety plugs. lowing points for better fire safety in- Safety in school As for schools that have a Gymnasi- side the school. Each and every Laboratory um, LASSA and LFPC recommends school should: the following: G Establish a fire safety plan. G Check emergency lighting G Evacuate students in immediate monthly. danger. ously, and evacuate the school when G Keep all doorways clear and exit G Sound the alarm. the alarm sounds. lights in working order. G Perform any fire drill duties as- G Hold fire drills on a regular basis. As for the general recommendation signed to you seriously. Have the initial fire drill for the school for Halls and doorways in schools: G Fight the fire with the proper year in beginning of the academic year. G Identify exits with lighted exit equipment only if you are not putting G Ensure that school employees The safety signs and keep them unobstructed. yourself or anyone else in danger and know how to evacuate their work ar- G Avoid wedging open hallway if you know how to fight the fire. eas and perform their fire drill duties shower doors. G DO NOT FIGHT the fire if it is in an emergency. G Check emergency lighting every spreading rapidly or blocking your exit. G Always sound the alarm at the month to ensure it is in proper work- G If you do not know how to use first sign of smoke or fire. ing order. the fire equipment, leave the building G Be familiar with the location of G Test fire doors regularly to make immediately. the nearest fire alarm and extinguisher. certain that the doors do not jam and G Close room doors and hallway G Learn how to operate fire extin- that the hardware is not detached. doors to prevent air movement and guishers, fire blankets and fire hoses. G Restrict paper to bulletin boards spread of smoke. As for recommendations for schools and fasten at all corners. DO NOT ex- G DO NOT PANIC. Advise students that have Laboratories, they should: discard any which are obsolete or LASSA and LFPC recommend the ceed 5% of wall area. that the fire plan is in operation and G Store flammable liquids properly show signs of decomposition. following for Classroom fire safety: LFPC and LASSA recommends that remain calm. Your confidence and and dispense them from an approved G Order and store the minimum G Keep combustible material away all schools should have some emer- judgment is extremely important and safety container. supply necessary. from heaters. gency plan that they can immediately will prevent panic. G Avoid storing incompatible G Clean up spills immediately. G Avoid portable heaters. put into action if needed. The plan LASSA and LFPC recommend that chemicals next to each other as inter- G Repair all electrical hazards and G Clearly mark the evacuation route must address many complex contin- all schools practice fire drills regularly action may occur and cause a fire or avoid overloading outlets. on the school floor plan, and place it gencies. There should be a step-by-step and consider the following: explosion. G Dispose of rubbish regularly and adjacent to the classroom door. procedure to use when a crisis occurs. G Always take school fire drills seri- G Survey chemicals annually and in a proper manner. G Check electrical appliances and By Charbel Allam LFPC invites people to sign the National Petition that calls for the purchase of fire fighting helicopters

After the tragedy that occurred in year Hobeika that all the forest fires in sum- regular simulations for municipal em- 2007 that led to the destruction of mer 2007 were intentional. ployees to help the Civil Defense. thousands of our green forests, the The LFPC highlights the following G Cleaning forest waste, grass and Lebanese Fire Prevention Committee recommendations hoping that the mu- branch remnants of trees aggrevate – LFPC invites people to sign the Na- nicipalities and the Lebanese Govern- fire. tional Petition to call upon the ment will take serious actions when G Building water tanks in the forests. Lebanese government to buy fire fight- discovering a fire since early detection G Educating citizens about the neg- ing specialized helicopters as soon as helps saves lives and resourses: ative effects of the fires on the envi- possible in order to avoid future eco- G Establishing control towers with ronment. nomic and enviromental losses. qualified forest guards to ensure G Organizing projects to manage LFPC asks the Lebanese Govern- speedy interventions to combat the forest waste. ment about the results of the investi- fire effectively. gations in the forest fires that occurred G Securing the existance of vehicle We call on all the people to help us in summer 2007 especially after the passages to facilitate access for fire save the forest wealth by signing the declaration of the Director General of vehicles to the forest. National Petition online on our web- the Civil Defense, General Darwish G Organizing training courses and site: www.lfpc.org. 4 .org saturday, march 22, 2008 More people are killed

Keep plugs away from your children

An appeal from LFPC for the falls within the range of 10%, breath- application of the Regulatory De- ing stops and after 4 minutes without cree number: 14293 that was is- oxygen the brain death occurs. sued on March 24, 2005 for the Fire also produces superheated air prevention of fire in Buildings, and smoke containing poisonous gas- Schools, Industrial Buildings, es; these fire products can kill you Hospitals and Elevators. long before the flames reach you. According to LFPC, if a fire hits your The Lebanese Fire Prevention home, you may never wake up. Even if Committee – LFPC recommends you do wake up, poisonous gases may still simple actions that could save knock you out as soon as you stand up. the lives of the hundreds of peo- LFPC calls to apply the Regulatory ple who are at risk of dying in Decree number: 14293 issued in home fires each year. March 2005 for the prevention of use large, heavy ashtrays and never fires in Buildings, Schools, Industrial let them become so full that hot ash- LFPC emphasizes that for a fire to Buildings, Hospitals and Elevators. es might spill over the side. LFPC rec- start, three elements must be pre- This decree obliges buildings to use ommends that you check that the sent: oxygen, flammable and heat. In matter resist to fire as well as the ashtray contents had cooled down a fire, these combine in a self-sustain- equipping of the building with fire ex- and nothings is burning before you ing chain reaction. tinguisher equipment, smoke detec- empty them. Oxygen is all around us, and almost tors and emergency doors and stairs. any material can become flammable LFPC in collaboration with Scientific 2- Children playing with matches: for a fire such as clothes, furniture, Research Foundation- SRF conducted a Children are fascinated by fire and plastics, any flammable liquids, wood study to identify how much this decree according to studies done by LFPC, and more. Most fires start when some is applied. This study concluded that this children never understand the danger man-made device supplies the miss- decree is not being applies in buildings. of fire unless they are taught or they ing ingredient which is usually heat. With these results, LFPC calls upon suffer a painful injury. LFPC emphasizes that when a fire the Lebanese and Foreign engineers LFPC recommends that parents starts burning, it quickly makes your applying this decree to take measures make sure that children learn the ba- home a deadly place. Fire consumes to avoid building fires. Moreover, LFPC sics of fire safety and in order to make the oxygen by feeding itself and suffo- requests from the Ministry of Public sure they learn it make it by fun. cating you. Normal air is about 21% Works to apply this decree in giving Li- As an additional safety measure, oxygen; but during a fire, the oxygen censes for new buildings in order to LFPC also recommends to keep level rapidly drops. If it falls below avoid future economic losses. matches and lighters out of children’s 17%, clear thinking and muscle con- reach. (further info on www.lfpc.org) trol become difficult, and attempts to Major causes of home fires: escape become irrational. An example 3- Carelessness with cooking and of what would happen is that you 1- Carelessness among smokers: heating appliances: might claw at the door rather than This is the single largest cause of fa- Heating and cooking appliances ac- simply turn the knob. When oxygen tal home fires. If you smoke, always count for a largest number of home Put smoke detectors in your home to discover a fire early

S.O.S... Auto

Emergency Road services saturday, march 22, 2008 .org 5 in home fires yearly

Call emergency number of Civil Defense (125) in case of fire

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YASA Lebanon dd

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fires than any other cause. 5- Faulty electrical fixtures: dd

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Headquarter: 2nd Flr., Akl Bldg., St. Rock dd dd dd

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In the kitchen, be alert to your Check electrical cords for cracks, dd

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Street, Hazmieh, Lebanon. dd dd dd

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cooking habits. Stove burners and fraying, broken plugs and loose con- dd

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P.O. Box: 45-083 Hazmieh - Lebanon dd

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dd ovens can inflict severe burns or start nections. Cords showing these danger dd

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fires. LFPC asks you to be attentive, signs should be replaced, along with dd

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Phone: + 961 5 452587 dd

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and practice the extreme safety. any cord or plug that gets hot when it dd

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Fax: + 961 5 952587 dd dd dd

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LFPC reminds you that if a grease is in use. dd

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www.yasa.org / Email:[email protected] dd

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fire starts in your kitchen, smother the dd

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6- Open flames: dd dd flames by covering the pan with a lid dd

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or a larger pan, and turn off the burn- Use candles or oil-burning lamps dd

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er. Keep in mind to never pour water only if their holders are stable and in Phone: +971 50 70 22570 dd

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dd on a grease fire. good condition. If you are leaving a dd

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P.O Box: 123614 Dubai - UAE dd dd dd

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In case of an over fire, LFPC recom- room for more than a few moments, dd

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mends that you close the oven door LFPC asks you to extinguish all flames; dd dd dd

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Scientific Research Foundation (SRF) dd

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dd and turn off the oven. Use the same and never leave a child alone with an dd

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technique if a fire starts in a mi- open flame, even briefly. dd

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Main Road dd dd dd

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crowave oven: push the stop button In case the electrical power goes out, dd dd dd

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Zouk Mosbeh - Lebanon dd

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dd and leave the door closed until the keep flashlights ready: using candles in dd

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P.O. Box: 175 Zouk Mikhael dd

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fire is out. an emergency could be dangerous. dd dd dd

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Tel/Fax: + 961 9 215775 dd

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INTERVIEW According to the Director General of Lebanese Civil Defense, General Darwish Hobeika, All forest fires were intentional and deliberate.

General Hobeika with members of LFPc and YASA

flammable liquids such as oil and fire fighting helicopters that suit our “gasoline” and connected to match environment and needs and not the Civil Defense Members sticks which were in turn attached to other alternative as the Canada Air mosquito repelling disks (Katol) which does not operate at night since How many volunteers does the most of the fires started during dark Civil Defense have? What can you say about the fire in hours. We have a total of 4,700 volunteers Ammiq natural reserve about a and they are currently undergoing month ago? What are the main difference be- training with French experts. We de- The fire started after some shep- tween the helicopter and the Canada pend on the strength and motivation herds/ farmers set fire to some twigs Air? of our young volunteers since fire and sticks. The Canada Air can only fill up wa- fighting is not an easy task. It needs ter from the sea and cannot not go commitment and perseverance. For General Darwish Hobeika Do we have statistics on the forest low enough to put out fires in valleys. example, our volunteers have recently fires of 2007? The helicopter, on the other hand, extended 40 water hoses, measuring The Director-General of the Lebanese fire wave? Civil Defense statistics show that can fill its water tanks from lakes, 900 meters, in one of the valleys. Civil Defense General Darwish Hobei- The fires that attacked our forests 21,885 fires were put out in 2007, pools and even our vehicles. They can ka declared that recent forest-fires over the past months were man around 16,733 of which took place also reach valleys since it is necessary What are the main challenges were man-made. He discloses the made (intentional, deliberate) and during the last summer. for it to release the water from a low faced while fighting fires? mechanism used to trigger most of this can be proven by the Civil De- height for or less it would be spray Our members face numerous chal- these fires. General Hobeika also re- fense reports. Fire fighting “planes” like. lenges including rocky mountain path- vealed that according to Civil Defense Civil Defense fire fighters were also I also want to ask the government ways and mines in certain regions. statistics 21,885 fires were extin- shot at while doing their job in certain Do we need special air fire fighting to perform continuous maintenance We therefore urge municipalities to guished in 2007. areas. equipment in Lebanon? on the Puma “planes” we already “open” roads to facilitate our job and Our fire fighters were capable of ex- have since they can be very efficient clean forests from trash and mines. What can you say after three How were these fires initiated? tinguishing all the fires that took place in helping us save what is left of our months have passed since the forest Soft drink cans were filled with last summer. What we really need are forests. By Ghinwa Daher

Squeeze the lever slowly. This will re- The Use of a fire extinguishers lease the extinguish- ing agent in the extin- guisher. If the handle is released, the dis- LFPC reminds you that you should read the instructions on the extinguisher charge will stop. as soon as you purchase it before you need to use it and it is too late. LFPC ➔ advices you to use this acronym as a quick reference (it is a good idea to print this reference and pin it next to your fire extinguisher) PASS A im at the base of the fire, Sweep from side to not the flames. side. Using a sweeping This is impor- motion, move the fire Pull the Pin at the tant - in order extinguisher back and top of the extin- to put out the forth until the fire is guisher. The pin re- fire, you must completely out. Oper- leases a locking extinguish the ate the extinguisher mechanism and fuel. from a safe distance, will allow you to ➔ several feet away, and discharge the extin- then move towards the guisher. fire once it starts to di- ➔ minish. ➔ saturday, march 22, 2008 .org 7

INTERVIEW Mr. Samir Chediac, VP of Lebanese Fire Prevention Urges People to Equip their Homes with Fire Alarms and Extinguishers

pot or skillet should be covered with the fire blanket to cut off oxygen sup- ply. If a fire blanket is not available, the cover of the pot or skillet can be used. It is also important to discard the oil after putting out the fire.

What can be done to prevent do- mestic fires and control them in case they take place? The early detection of fires will pre- vent their spreading. LFPC recom- mends equipping homes with fire alarms and extinguishers. Furthermore, everyone should know the emergency numbers which should also be posted clearly close to the telephone and should be memorised. It is also impor- tant to keep all flammable material away from sources of heat or fire.

Why are smoke detector alarms im- portant when we know that a fire will Samir Chediac be detected from its smell anyway? Smoke detectors are important all Mr. Samir Chediac, Vice President of ommends closing and disconnecting around the clock but especially during Lebanese Fire Prevention Committee, the gas “tank” and opening all windows the night when the people are fast considered the kitchen to be the most and doors. We warn against starting asleep. The smoke detector alarm will dangerous place for domestic fires the oven or stove or using electricity wake people up and alarm them to the and urged everybody to equip their whenever you suspect leakage. danger. We recommend that smoke homes with fire alarms, extinguishers LFPC also recommend performing detectors be installed in the kitchen or and fire blankets for their safety. regular maintenance for all equip- close to it since it is the most danger- Mr. Chediac presented information ment to prventgas leakage with the ous place as we discussed earlier. Not on the prevention of domestic fires and passage of time. only that, but it is strongly recommend- Kitchen is the most dangerous area at home actions to be taken in case of a fire. ed that everyone in the house learns What are other causes for fires in how to use a fire extinguisher. many of the fires caused by heaters are worn off or usually extended under Where is the most dangerous place the kitchen? were a result of changing the energy carpets caused many fires in Lebanon. at home in terms of domestic fires? Cooking is also a major cause of During winter what recommenda- source while the heater is hot. The kitchen is considered the most fires in the kitchen. If cooking oil is left tion do you give people with regard Moreover, people should also keep Is there anything else you would dangerous place due to the presence unattended it will reach its boiling to domestic heaters? in mind that a baby sitting close to the like to warn people about? of butane gas. A gas leakage can be point and start burning. At this point, it LFPC calls on all the people to heater might be injured due to the I would like to warn people on be- caused by damages to the “equip- is then very dangerous to put food in place heaters away from flammables. heating up of the wetness in the dia- half of LFPC that during incomplete ment” or by children playing with the the boiling oil especially if it was wet The general recommendation is to per, so LFPC recommends to keep ba- combustion Carbon Monoxide, which keys of the stove or oven, which is such as potatoes or other vegetables. have it at least 1 meter away from bies as far as possible from heaters. is an odorless gas, is released. This common in households. Therefore, flammable objects such as couch, gas causes dizziness and uncon- adults should recognize the odor of What should the person do in this blankets, curtains and more. As for What are other causes for domes- sciousness. So whenever and as soon butane as early as possible. case? heaters that are on sources other than tic fires? as dizziness is felt, doors and win- To begin with, LFPC recommends electricity, people should not ex- Studies conducted by the Scientific dows should be opened to allow the What should be done when there that we do not leave any cooking un- change the source as soon as it is Research Foundation and the entry of oxygen. is gas leakage? attended, in addition to having a fire empty, they should wait until it cools Lebanese Fire Prevention Committee In case of a gas leakage, LFPC rec- blanket in the kitchens. The burning down. Here it is worth noting that also showed that electrical wires that By Kamel Ibrahim A new publication from YASA

In compliance with its strategy of old drivers. The guide con- answers by following a compari- ducted by YASA. As part of the and continuous efforts to re- tains 400 different questions son procedure. YASA believes continuous cooperation, YASA duce traffic crashes in Lebanon with multiple choice answers for that this method helps the driver has donated thousands of both and in the Arab world, and to each. They were created and improve his knowledge by realiz- guides to the Lebanese Army cut down painful human suffer- grouped in separate chapters to ing the wrong and right driving and the Internal Security Forces. ing and economic loss, YASA has match all types of vehicles: habits and techniques. YASA hopes that this guide published its “Driver Education heavy, medium and light vehi- Moreover, this guide can be that has been published in three Questions and Answers Guide” cles. For each question there is used by companies as an evalu- languages (Arabic, English and to help spread safe driving only one correct answer based ation test for their current and French), will have a positive im- knowledge and awareness on defensive driving techniques prospective drivers, as well as pact on the theoretical part of amongst civil societies. such as: observation, communi- for any type of competition that driver testing and licensing cur- This guide aims to improve cation, consideration, coordina- covers traffic safety. The “Driver riculum in Lebanon as well as in the theoretical driving education tion, navigation and courteous Education Questions and An- the Arab world. It also hopes to for new drivers by giving them a driving. The key for the correct swers Guide” and the “Driver help improve road safety. boost in their journey towards answers are found at the end of Guide” are awarded for drivers learning safe driving techniques, each chapter. The driver is ex- who participate in the Driver Im- Hani N. Koubeissi and to reinforce the knowledge pected to search for the correct provement Program (DIP) con- 8 .org saturday, march 22, 2008

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