Individual safety and societal well-being should be the slogans during the holy month of Ramadhan, and people should follow safety guidelines in all areas for a safe Ramadhan, according to the Royal Oman Police (ROP).
Start a bit early to reach the destination on time as people tend to speed up for iftar, ending up in accidents.
"Road safety should be the responsibility of every individual on the road, and people behind the wheels should follow precautions to reach home safely, especially during the fast-breaking time'', urged the Public Relations Department at the ROP.
Reports released by the ROP suggest that the last-minute rush to reach home before iftar and the tendency to speed on-road and drive while exhausted are major reasons behind major accidents during the holy month.
"Motorists are advised to ensure that they avoid tail-gating to stay safe on the roads. Drivers must be patient and focused while driving, especially during periods of peak traffic before iftar and not engage themselves in altercations with fellow drivers'', he said.
Air-conditioners in the vehicle should be functional to avoid getting exhausted. Changes in sleep timings and variation in work and sleep patterns affect workers who fast.
While feeling sleepy, one shouldn't drive. It is better to pull the vehicle aside and take a catnap before proceeding further.
However, care should be taken not to sleep inside a vehicle keeping all windows closed and the A/C switched on in closed areas, as it can cause suffocation and death.
Additionally, one should avoid using a mobile phone while driving, especially reading and writing messages or browsing websites and electronic programmes, as all are wrong behaviours that pose a danger to the person and other road users. ROP prohibits both drivers and pedestrians from such acts.
"Offenders who caused an accident and raised a threat to themselves and others on the road shall be dealt with accordingly'', he added.
Shopping spree
Shopping post-iftar and Taraweeh shall be avoided as it tends to break the precautions of social distancing and observing the preventive measures against the pandemic, which is causing a menace in other countries, according to religious scholars. They might as well do shopping during the day and, if not possible, do quick shopping at night.
"Shopkeepers must be prepared to close well in time, and overcrowding inside or outside the outlets, shopping malls, markets and places of purchase must be avoided. Besides, it is advisable to wear the face mask, follow social distancing rules and adhere to other Covid-19 protocols'', he adds.
Safety at home
Ramadhan is equally a time that poses the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) with many domestic accidents, including fire and other incidents resulting from reckless behaviour.
A number of accidents at home, including incidents related to gas cylinders, occur due to mismanagement, burns, choking, falling of loose objects, bruises, cuts, sprains, small children pulling things down and dropping objects on them, and food poisoning are some of the main domestic accidents reported during the month as kitchens usually witness heavy workload from afternoon till late night.
"Be attentive to even the slightest possibilities of accidents at home and try to prevent an accident before it happens and safeguard the family members at home more than the properties of things in and around the house. Alert the ROP for rescue operations'', said Mohammed Khadoury, a safety and security trainer with ICEM.
@kabeeryousef
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
