Recent events have shown that as with all major cosmopolitan countries, the sheer number of tower block renters means the risk of sudden blazes is ever present here in the UAE. The Civil Defence has estimated that around a third of all fires erupt in the home and this, to a fellow apartment renter, is a very scary thought.

Propertyfinder.ae has gathered advice from safety experts to list the top seven ways UAE residents can safeguard their apartment or villa against a sudden blaze.

Don't leave cooking unattended

One of the most potentially dangerous rooms of the house for fires is the kitchen. Therefore, tenants should never leave food boiling or frying on the stove unattended. Always ensure you have a working fire alarm and fire extinguisher in this area too.

Be extremely careful with candles

Any naked flames such as lit candles pose a great risk of fire so extra care is needed. If in doubt, simply don't use them.

Never disable alarms

No matter how sensitive or 'annoying' the fire alarms in your property may be, never disable them as you are posing a danger to yourself and others.

Beware of electrical appliances

You may not think it, but any electrical device - whether it is an iron, a lamp, or even a phone charger - can form a serious threat. Safety experts urge people to replace all worn, old, or damaged appliance cords, and three-prong plugs should only ever be plugged in three-slot outlets and two-slot plugs into two-slot outlets. Always buy electrical products evaluated by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation andMetrology.

Smokers and BBQ lovers: step outside!

Smokers are strongly advised to always smoke outdoors. And cigarette butts should never be thrown away, but be properly snuffed out by using sand or water. Also avoid using barbeque and charcoal cookers in confined spaces - only use designated outdoor areas. This includes not barbecuing on balconies as this is strictly forbidden in all building towers.

Check the duct work

Faulty equipment in areas such as the laundry room can lead to blazes. The duct work, for example, should be made of hard metal rather than plastic as a plastic duct is prone to melt or ignite. Furthermore, the duct should vent outdoors rather than indoors and never to a room inside the house.

?Be prepared for a fire

If a fire does break out, officials say it is essential to be prepared. Although all buildings should have an emergency plan and equipment, unfortunately not enough residents study them in detail. Try to plan an escape route from every room in your property, especially the bedrooms as this is where you are most likely to be caught unawares.

Fire safety regulations, in particular the use of flammable external cladding which has caused the majority of building fires, must be addressed for UAE residents to feel safer in their homes. On top of this, home-occupiers need to be better educated on what is and isn't safe to do in their high-rise towers. If UAE residents have any fire safety concerns, they should seek advice from their building or compound management office and/or the local Civil Defence.

The writer is Lukman Hajje is CCO propertyfinder Group and views expressed by him are his own and do not reflect the newspaper's policy.