Stop Tragic Mistakes: UAE's Summer Safety Alert

Don't Leave Them in the Car – Awareness Can Save Lives in UAE Summers

The summer months in the United Arab Emirates pose significant risks not only due to the heat but also because of tragedies caused by negligence. One of the most dangerous and unfortunately not uncommon mistakes, highlighted again by authorities, is leaving children unattended in vehicles.

Campaign Launched in Fujairah for Child Protection

The Fujairah police have launched a new traffic safety campaign titled 'Your Children, Your Responsibility – Don't Leave Them Alone in the Vehicle.' This initiative is part of the Ministry of Interior's nationwide campaign 'Accident-Free Summer,' which takes place in the third quarter of the year. The aim is to make parents and guardians aware of the severe consequences of leaving a child in a vehicle.

The temperature inside a closed car can rise to deadly levels in minutes – reaching over 70°C – leading to rapid heatstroke or suffocation. The message of the campaign is clear: there is no excuse for a parent or guardian leaving a child alone in the car, especially during the summer months.

Community Responsibility – Not Just a Parent's Duty

The campaign targets not only families but seeks to raise awareness among the broader society about the importance of prevention. Authorities are distributing electronic flyers, providing field briefings, and forming media partnerships to reach the widest audience possible.

Dubai authorities have also warned about the seriousness of this issue, emphasizing that mere minutes are sufficient for a child's life to be endangered in an overheated car.

Legal Background – Serious Consequences

In the UAE, Article 35 of the Wadeema Law explicitly prohibits leaving children unattended in vehicles. Violators can face fines of up to 5,000 dirhams and/or imprisonment. In more severe cases where a child's physical safety or life is at risk, the judge may impose fines of up to 10,000 dirhams and stricter penalties.

Why is This Particularly Dangerous in Summer?

A vehicle’s interior heats up faster than one might think: the temperature can rise by 20°C within ten minutes.

Children's body temperature regulation is less developed than adults' – they can suffer heatstroke much more quickly.

Young children cannot call for help or open the door.

What Can We Do to Prevent This?

Never leave a child unattended in the car – not even for a few minutes.

Ask those around you to immediately notify authorities if they see such a scenario.

Use warning devices, like phone reminders or car child sensor systems.

Summary

Child safety is a shared responsibility. In the UAE during the summer months, it is particularly important for not only our own family but also our immediate surroundings to be vigilant. A quick decision or a moment of negligence can lead to tragedy – but just as quickly, a decision can save lives.

(Source of the article: Fujairah Police statement.)