Summer heat safety in the UAE: a family checklist
Long, very hot summers make heat illness, car breakdowns and power cuts more serious. This page brings together the key steps from our heat, car and power guides.
UAE: Police 999, Ambulance 998, Fire 997- In 2024 the UAE midday break banned outdoor work in direct sun from 12:30pm to 3pm between 15 June and 15 September. Check each year's announcement; the hours are a useful guide for timing family outdoor activity too. (Gulf Today (WAM report of MoHRE announcement, 31 May 2024))
- Abu Dhabi Police advise against venturing far into the desert; if you go, share your location and carry GPS. (Abu Dhabi Police)
- In Dubai, check the outage cause with DEWA's Smart Response service in its app or website. For faults inside your building, call your building maintenance team or a licensed electrician. For faults on DEWA's network, call 991. (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA))
Before the hot season
- Learn the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.[1]
- Locate nearby cool public places, such as malls or libraries, to use if your cooling fails.[1]
- Shade windows with curtains, blinds or reflective film to keep heat out.[1]
- Seal gaps around doors and windows and improve insulation.[1]
- Ask your doctor before changing any medicine, and plan how to keep chilled medicines cold in a power cut.[3]
- Know who is most at risk: babies, young children, over 65s, pregnant women and people with heart or lung conditions.[3]
From our guide: Extreme heat (sources listed there).
On very hot days
- Never leave children, adults or pets in a parked car, even briefly.[1]
- Drink plenty of water through the day and limit alcohol.[2]
- Stay out of direct sun around the middle of the day and keep to the shade.[2]
- Wear loose, light-coloured, lightweight clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.[1]
- Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling in very hot rooms. Use air conditioning or a cool place.[3]
- Take cool showers and use the oven less to keep the home cooler.[1]
- Look in on older relatives, neighbours who live alone and anyone with a long-term illness.[2]
- Give pets shade and cool water, and keep their paws off hot pavement.[1]
From our guide: Extreme heat (sources listed there).
Spot heat illness
Heat exhaustion
- Tiredness, dizziness or headache[2]
- Feeling sick or vomiting[2]
- Heavy sweating with pale, clammy skin[2]
- Cramps in arms, legs or stomach[2]
- High temperature and strong thirst[2]
Heat stroke: call an ambulance (998 in the UAE)
- Still unwell after 30 minutes of rest, cooling and fluids[2]
- Very high body temperature[2]
- Hot skin that has stopped sweating[2]
- Fast heartbeat or fast breathing[2]
- Confusion, restlessness or poor coordination[2]
- Seizure or loss of consciousness[2]
From our guide: Extreme heat (sources listed there).
Before a long or desert drive
- Keep an emergency kit in the car in case you get stranded.[1]
- Check tyres, lights, brakes, wipers and fluid levels regularly.[3]
- Keep your fuel tank well filled.[1]
- Check weather and road conditions before setting off.[1]
- Avoid going deep into the desert; if you do, share your location and carry GPS.[5]
- Never leave children or pets alone in a closed car on a hot day.[6]
From our guide: Stranded in the desert or car breakdown (sources listed there).
If your car breaks down
- Move the car off the road if you can and switch on hazard lights.[2]
- Get out on the side away from traffic and stand clear of the vehicle.[2]
- If you cannot get out safely, stay belted in with hazards on and call police.[2]
- UK Highway Code: place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind the car, never on a motorway. Follow local road rules elsewhere.[2]
- In dust or poor visibility, pull over to the right and avoid stopping under trees or billboards.[4]
- Call for help and give your location; in the UAE dial 999.[7]
- In heat, seek shade, sip water and watch for dizziness, cramps or confusion.[6]
From our guide: Stranded in the desert or car breakdown (sources listed there).
If the power goes off in the heat
- Check your fuse box first. If neighbours are also dark, report the outage to your utility.[1]
- Switch off or unplug appliances and electronics to avoid a surge when power returns.[2]
- Keep fridge and freezer doors shut. A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours.[4]
- Use torches rather than candles. If you must use candles, never leave them unattended.[1]
- Never run generators, barbecues or camping heaters indoors, in garages or near windows.[5]
- Run any generator outside, at least 6 metres (20 feet) from doors, windows and vents.[5]
- Never plug a generator into a wall socket. It can harm utility workers.[1]
- If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get out at once and call emergency services.[2]
From our guide: Power outage (sources listed there).
Every step on this page comes from an official source cited on the linked guide. Always follow instructions from UAE authorities.