An emergency can strike at any time, as in the case of the recent Dubai Marina fire. Luckily, in this instance, all 3,820 residents of the apartment building were evacuated safely. There were also heart-warming stories of animal rescue, but this isn’t always the case.
One of the best ways to ensure the safety for all family members – including furry friends – is to be proactive and prepared. Here are some expert tips.
Evacuate safely first
Although it’s tempting to stay behind to help a pet, it is advisable to get yourself out first.
“Your safety comes first. Once outside, immediately alert firefighters and emergency workers to the presence and likely location of any pets still inside,” Dr Rachel Shaw, a vet and chief executive of Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi, tells The National. “Only attempt to rescue pets yourself if it’s safe to do so. If circumstances allow, use a leash or carrier to prevent them from a panic-induced escape.”
Dr Martin Wyness, founder and chief executive of British Veterinary Centre, agrees. He says if owners can't find their pets, they shouldn't spend precious time trying.
“Getting yourself out has to be the priority,” he says. “If it is safe to do so, maybe leave doors open so animals can escape on their own. They're adept at using their instincts when in trouble.”
Keep a pet kit ready
Prepare an emergency bag with pet items such as a leash, pet carrier, food, water and any medication, all stored in an easily accessible location near an exit.
“Your aim is to get out of the space as quickly as you can. With pets, it means having crates handy, so keep proper cat carriers, dog carriers for small dogs and a leash for bigger dogs within reach,” says Wyness.
Make an escape plan
“Practise evacuation routes regularly with your pets, and ensure all family members know what to do with pets in tow,” says Shaw.
Wyness adds most people are not prepared in the sense of being mindful of their surroundings, which can be a big help.
“I don't think humans think about it enough. How many people actually do what they're meant to when going somewhere new? You know you're supposed to scout out the range, check where the emergency exits are, know where the nearest doctor is and what the emergency phone numbers are, but most people don't know these basics.”
Ensure pets have ID and registration
This is sometimes overlooked by pet parents, but it is crucial when it comes to ensuring an animal's safety. In Abu Dhabi, pet owners must legally register cats and dogs and have them microchipped under the Animal Ownership System initiative that launched in February.
“Ensure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag and is microchipped. Register them on the Abu Dhabi Municipality’s Companion Animal Registration System via Tamm. This allows for faster reunification if you are separated during evacuation,” says Shaw.
An effective way to reunite pets with their owner is through microchipping, as anyone who finds a lost pet can use websites such as Microchipped.ae or call a vet to track down the owner quickly.
Plan for when you’re away
Emergencies don’t always happen when you're at home, so it’s important to have a plan in place for when you’re not around.
Give a spare key to a trustworthy neighbour, friend or sitter who is familiar with your home and whom your pets are familiar with. Share clear instructions on where your pets are likely to be found, where their carriers and supplies are kept, and whom to call in an emergency.
It's also worth keeping contact information for a vet or pet boarding facility somewhere visible, and letting close friends or family know travel plans, so someone can step in quickly if needed.
Finally, consider using pet alert stickers on windows or doors – these notify emergency responders that animals are inside. Some stickers include the number and type of pets in the home, which can help civil defence teams prioritise their rescue efforts.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
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