Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — As mercury drops in most parts of the Kingdom during the current winter season, the General Directorate of Civil Defense cautioned the public to take utmost vigil and care while using heating devices.

It emphasized the importance of following safety procedures when using heating devices, and ensuring the necessity of preventing children from approaching or tampering with them. The directorate underlined the need to ensure proper ventilation of closed spaces when using them, as well as to turn off the heater when going out or when sleeping, and avoid using it to heat food and drinks, and keep it away from curtains, furniture and flammable materials.

The directorate called for following the safety guidelines and instructions announced through various media and social networking sites. It urged to contact the Civil Defense over the phone number 911 in the regions of Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province, and the number 998 in the rest of the regions in the event of any emergency cases.