DUBAI - The total number of burn cases recorded in the UAE for 2007 and till August 2008 was 4,334.
“Of these 2,557 were reported in 2007 resulting in 40 deaths and 163 injuries,” said Dr Ali Numairi, head of the Emirates Medical Association.
Numairi made the remarks during the second National Burn Week which opened on Sunday under the theme ‘Together for burn prevention’ at the Dubai Police Academy.
Also at the seminar, the Dubai International Initiative for Burn Rights initiative will be drawn up for approval.
He said: “The seminar aims at putting up a national plan to prevent fire which would be focused through education, legislation and technology.
He said that we should spread the awareness among the public.
Most fires which took place in UAE was caused by short circuits, the lack of safety measures and negligence, he said.
Programmes on the prevention and treatment of burns have to be regular features in establishments, Numairi continued.
During the burn national week, visits and lectures would be conducted at schools, factories, universities, women’s associations and shopping malls.
According to the 2007 statistics, Abu Dhabi Emirate tops the list and with 570 accidents where three died and 49 were injured.
In Dubai the figures hit 598 resulting in seven deaths and 37 injuries. Sharjah witnessed 448 accidents resulting in 15 deaths and 37 injuries.
Al Ain City saw 298 accidents with five deaths and 49 injuries while in Ras AL Khaimnh the number of fire accidents reached 216 and resulted in three deaths and 10 injuries.
In Ajman, the 177 fire accidents resulted in 17 deaths and one injury while Umm Al Quwain recorded the lowest figures with no fatalities and two injured victims.
The total losses for the year 2007 was Dh30 million.
Numairi added: “From January to August 8, 2008 the fire accidents which were reported in the UAE reached 1,777 resulted in 146 injuries and 40 deaths and incurred losses of up to Dh30 million.