Saturday 27 / April / 2024
Muscat: With the temperatures soaring, counterfeit car parts, which include electric cables, can set one’s car on fire, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has warned motorists, as hot weather makes vehicles vulnerable to fire.
“As temperature rises during summer months, loose cables, attached to the car’s headlights and old wiring can cause sparks to burst,” said an ROP official.
Heat is the main reason behind fire in vehicles, which is the second most common cause for fire in the Sultanate, according to an official at the ROP.
He further said that poor maintenance, negligence of safety instructions and delaying servicing can also cause major fires.
“To make a vehicle fire-proof, check tyres before going out for a long drive,” the ROP said, clarifying that heat can be very hazardous when it comes to rubber-made materials.
“Driving a car for long hours without stopping may lead to overheating of engine and can cause a fire,” he said, cautioning people who drive from Muscat to interiors during weekends.
The ROP stressed that changing car-batteries periodically and keeping an eye on coolant leaks are a motorist’s responsibility.
“Drivers must take precautions regarding tyres, as soaring temperatures make blowouts more likely,” he said, adding that servicing a vehicle is the key to protecting it from fires.
ROP has also called upon motorists in Oman to make sure a fire extinguisher is always available and kept within their reach in vehicles.
“When putting out fire using an extinguisher, the person should be at least eight feet away from the flame,” the officer said.
According to the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (DGMAN) temperatures have already reached 46 degrees Celsius in some places in Sur.
Summer is also said to be the deadliest season when it comes to traffic accidents. July claimed 71 lives, while 67 people perished in August road crashes in 2015.
Most accidents occurred last year in June, resulting in 345 injuries and 46 deaths, said the ROP.
