SAFETY TIPS
 

Guide lines ( DIRECTION INDICATORS)   Dear Motorist, Use the proper indicator well before you change your lane to another, or turn left or right. Avoid dangers and don't emerge suddenly into another lane. You may cause a fatal accident if you use the improper direction indicator. Use your indicator at turns to alert other drivers of your intended direction, and to allow them to slow down. Traffic signs are the language of the road. If they are well, understood and complied with, dangers will be avoided. Before you overtake_ ensure that it is safe to do so, and don't forget to signal your indicators. Driving out of the road without signaling to those behind you, may cause an acci­dent. Driving is an art, tact and decency. Drive in a civilized manner to avoid risks. Always comply with road signs and lines that prohibit overtaking. Turning or driving out of the road without signaling is a traffic offence. Be safe and comply with the traffic rules. Signal the proper indicator. A very minor mistake may cost very much.  For your own safety and the safety of others, slow down before you turn, and signal the proper direction indicator.

Your driving reflects your manners   Traffic Lights Traffic lights are installed in crowded junctions to control flow of traffic in safe and smooth manner. Compliance with them without causing any harm to others is a commended behavior. Jumping the red signal mostly causes deadly accidents. What to do at the Traffic Lights? When approaching traffic lights reduce your speed and don't depend on the fact that the green signal is on and the vehicle is far from the signals. Be cautious, pay attention to the road and don't be distracted. Stop at traffic lights, and drive only in the green signal, not in the amber. Junctions Junctions are installed to facilitate the flow of traffic and allow movement of vehicles from one direction to another. At road junctions motorists are required to be patient and avoid nervousness. Crossing Junctions Inattentively Crossing a junction without full attention and proper judgment of the approaching traffic almost results in fatal accidents. What is Required at Road Junctions? At a junction make sure that are no approaching vehicles, or at least that they are far enough for you to enter the road. Don’t cross a junction unless you ensure that  can enter the road safely. Seat Belt The seat belt is one of the important parts of a vehicle. It reduces the severity of injuries, as it keeps the driver in position, especially at turns. Fastening the seatbelt is a civilized compliance with the rules. Significance of the seatbelt Researches have proved the importance of the seatbelt in reducing serious injuries .It prevents the driver and the front seat passenger from bumping into the body of the vehicle. Studies have confirmed also that, contrary to what is generally believed, the seatbelt does not cause any harm to a pregnant woman in case of accidents. How to Use a Seatbelt? The driver and the front seat passenger must fasten the seatbelt before moving off. Ensure that the seatbelt, its base and buckle are in good condition. Don't unfasten the seatbelt during driving. Keep it fastened until the vehicle comes to a standstill. Mobile Telephone The mobile telephone is a modem and useful means of communication. But, using it during driving is dangerous and contrary to the traffic rules. Proper Use of Mobile telephones During Driving To use a telephone while driving, a motorist must use an earpiece. Carrying the telephone by hand while at the wheel may cause an awful accident as the driver will lose control over the vehicle, especially when there are surprises on the road. Dangers of Using Mobile Telephone While Driving Using a mobile telephone while driving without an earpiece will cause the following risks: Loss of control of the vehicle. Inattention to the traffic on the road. - Inattention to traffic signs and light signals. Non-compliance with the speed limit.

Vehicle Fires   How to prevent vehicle fires? A filling station staff and motorists must be aware and careful, otherwise there may be a disaster. A vehicle shouldn't be overloaded and driven for long time without stopping. Vehicle fires may result from violent collisions or overturning. It's even worse if the doors are jammed and the passengers unable to get out. Please drive carefully. Don't leave children alone in a vehicle, especially if the engine is running. Ensure that an appropriate fire extinguisher, preferably a carbon dioxide one, is fixed near the driver's seat. Change the engine oil regularly, and always ensure that the radiator is full. Have your  vehicle regularly checked and maintained ?

Public Safety   Despite the vast capabilities acquired to exploit nature, man everywhere is still surrounded by risks. Precaution and care are basic elements in dealing with the products of this atomic and electronic age. Faced by an enormous number of inventions man is required to know how to handle them properly. Any minor fault may cost a person his life. Civil defense organizations world-wide are established to help people and protect them against dangers, a noble human objective. Let's all co-operate with civil defense men to protect ourselves and properties. Safety at Home  House is a place of living, rest and peace. However, it contains many hazards that may cause fires and threaten the building, properties and people, particularly children. Thus, all are requested to observe some simple but very important matters for their own safety. Improper use of electrical appliances at home. Overuse of these equipment is the most common cause of house fires. Gas and the risks involved if it is improperly used. It is suffocating and   highly explosive if it leaks inside a house. Children fiddling with electrical appliances, sharp instruments,    insecticides, detergents, or any harmful 'thing they can reach. Negligence is one of the main causes of accidents. Examples of negligence are: smoking in bed and using incense burners without metal plates to prevent  hers from falling on to carpets. Vehicles Although provided with highly technical features, today's vehicles suffer from many shortcomings in relation to safety. Drivers must first be careful for their own lives then their vehicles, which cost them a lot of money. To do so, they are required to observe the following: Check the oil and water levels daily before driving. Detect any change that you may notice during driving. Don't leave children alone and unwatched in the vehicle, especially while the engine is running. Be aware of the vehicle's capability for long driving and its condition in hot weather.  Inspect the vehicle regularly and make necessary repairs immediately, Notice: Technical faults may take place in a vehicle's electrical circuit during maintenance. Drowning Following rains underground recharging dams constructed across many wadis in Oman contain huge quantities of water. Also, rain water collects in deep holes and catchments. Many children tend to go swimming .in these swamps unaware of the risk and may drown. To ensure safety with regard to swimming comply with the following guidelines: Never swim in water pockets, especially reservoirs, ponds and swamps. Before entering the water make sure of the safety of the place. Warm up before swimming to keep your muscles from cramping. Ensure that the place where you want to swim is free from whirlpools. Children should not be allowed to enter water alone without being supervised. Electric Lifts Electric lifts are increasingly installed in numerous new buildings throughout the country, an evidence of development in Oman. To keep lifts safe and in good working condition users must observe the following actions: Use lifts only for the purpose they are made for. Comply with the prescribed capacity of the lift as lapelled inside. Don't pour water or any other liquid inside a lift or at its entrance in each floor. To ensure their own safety and to avoid failure of lifts children should not be allowed to use lifts alone. Picnicking Holidays are good opportunities for people to picnic and enjoy themselves with Oman's beautiful nature. To have a safe and happy trip without any mishaps, certain arrangements must be taken as follows: Determine the destination beforehand. Take necessary things including clothes and other articles according to the nature and weather conditions at your destination. Take first aid kit. Check your vehicle properly and provide it with necessary articles including a towing rope, digging tools, a spare water tank, spanners kit, etc. Select a suitable camping site away from dangerous places like wadis or deep holes, and free from other hazards including fierce animals and poisonous insects. Watch the children closely and don't let them go alone far away from the camp. At the end of the picnic and before driving back ensure that all members of the group, especially the children are there.

Fire extinguishers in vehicles   Although vehicles are already equipped with high techniques and many features of durability and safety, the condition of a fire extinguisher will of course reinforce their safety against vehicle. High temperature during summer is main factor in vehicle fires. A fire extinguisher fixed near the driver’s seat is indispensable to put off fire if it ever breaks out in a vehicle.  Causes of Vehicle Fire: Little quantity of water in the radiator. Poor insulation of wires or improperly fixed plugs. Cracks in the exhaust. Fuel leak from the tank or supply tubes. Individual acts Precautions from Vehicle Fire: Change oils regularly and always ensure that the radiator is full. Comply with the vehicle’s laud limit. Don’t drive for long time continuously without stopping. Have your vehicle regularly checked, serviced and repaired. Don’t smoke while driving or during fuelling. Don’t leave the children alone in the vehicle, or the engine running while you are a way. Remember that the insurance compensation does not exempt you from legal actions. After fixing a fire extinguisher in your vehicle have it tested by authorized personnel every six months. Increased Number of Vehicles: By the end of 2003 the total of vehicles reached 444,500. The increase the number of vehicles is among the cause of accidents. A total of 245 vehicles fires took place in 2003 alone. Among the causes of such fires were the high temperatures, negligence of maintenance, driving for long distances without stopping Sometimes passenger are caught by fire inside the vehicle. Texts from the road traffic law and its Implementing Regulations: Article 17.12 of the Road Traffic Law stipulates that every motor vehicle must be equipped with a suitable fire fighting equipment which must always be in good working condition. Articles 35, 36 and 37 of the Implementing Regulations stipulate that taxis, buses and trucks must be provided with appropriate handy fire fighting equipment.

Farm Fires   Farm fires are frequent during summer, especially in the Batinah Region, where high temperature has effect on dry rubbish including fibers, palm leaves, fronds and grass. This and other factors cause farm fires. The following measures are necessary to avoid these hazards: A small spark may cause a large fire. Dispose of the farm rubbish immediately. Take necessary precautions while burning the rubbish. Don't bum large heaps of rubbish at a time. Don't bum farm rubbish when it's windy. Keep watch while burning the rubbish. Smokers should dispose of their cigarette butts properly, away from the rubbish and flammable materials.