The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA) has warned that modern furniture pieces, such as sofas and smart tables equipped with electrical charging units, are becoming major causes of house fires due to manufacturing defects and misuse.
The Authority urged the public to strictly adhere to preventive safety guidelines when handling furniture with built-in electrical outlets to avoid the risk of short circuits and ensure the safety of lives and property, reported the newspaper Emirates Today.
The Authority advised against leaving devices charging for extended periods, especially while sleeping or when leaving the room. It also stressed the importance of regularly checking cables and immediately stopping their use if they become overheated or damaged. Furthermore, it advised against charging high-power devices, such as laptops, in these integrated units.
ADCDA also emphasised the importance of ensuring that furniture is equipped with officially approved cables and sockets, warning that electricity must be disconnected immediately and the furniture must not be used if any burning smell is detected or if the socket changes color, until it has been inspected.
The Authority emphasized the need to install and maintain home smoke detectors.