4 MB pdf - Saudi Aramco

1st Quarter 2010

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely
out of control and turn into a major fire. In minutes, a
house can be engulfed in flames. You won’t have time
to grab valuables because fire spreads quickly and the
smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape. This year’s
Fire Prevention Month theme is “Fire Spreads Fast — Don’t
Let It Start.” The campaign strives to provide you and your
family with the necessary information to prevent fires from
starting.
Inside this issue
1st Quarter 2010
Worldwide, electrical fires in homes claim many lives and
cause many injuries each year. Some of these fires are
caused by misuse and poor maintenance of electrical
appliances and wires. Read “Electrical Fires Can Be
Shocking” to learn how to prevent electrical fires from
occurring at your home.
The family environment is crucial, especially in forming
good study habits early on. Even the most effective teachers,
the ones who motivate their students by using creative
and innovative teaching styles, are not enough. Parental
involvement is a key factor in a student’s academic success.
The article “Help Your Children Do Well in School” will
assist parents in helping their children succeed in school.
Electrical Fires
Can Be Shocking
2
Help Your Children
4
Do Well in School
Read the article “Breathe Safely at Home” to learn how to
reduce the amount and effects of biological pollutants, and
how to keep a healthy home we all deserve.
Camping brings with it wonderful opportunities to relax.
Such a trip takes a little organization and forward planning
to make sure a fun weekend stays that way — fun and
injury free. The article “Firing Up to Be a Happy Camper”
will teach you what you need to do to keep camping safe
this winter.
Breathe
Safely at Home
8
Firing
Up to Be
a Happy Camper
12
Thinking positively brings many benefits with it. Studies
have found that optimists report having fewer health
problems and are generally happier, calmer and more
peaceful. With a positive attitude, attention is more focused
and awareness more acute, meaning our thoughts and
behavior are more considered and, therefore, safer. Read
“Stay Positive … and Stay Safe — The Power of Positive
Thinking” to help you stay positive, healthy and safe.
Stay Positive … and
Stay Safe — The
Power of Positive
Thinking
15
Desert Kids’ Club
18
While it is your responsibility as an adult to keep your
children safe, this doesn’t mean your kids can’t do their part
to stay safe from fire. The “Desert Kids’ Club” includes fire
safety information and a fire safety quiz that can help kids
learn about the dangers of fire in a fun, interactive way!
Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year!
If you have any articles you would like to submit or any suggestions, please
e-mail them to: panorama@aramco.com
Panorama (Issn 1319-2027) is published quarterly by Saudi Aramco's
Loss Prevention Department and is distributed free of charge to company
employees and other readers with an interest in safety. Articles may be
reprinted without permission provided Panorama and Saudi Aramco Loss
Prevention are credited.
Photos by Ali Al-Mubarak
Loss Prevention
Room A-117
Building 3150, LIP
Dhahran 31311
Saudi Arabia
AFAN P. PRESS : (03) 8561510

2 Panorama
Electrical Fires
Can Be Shocking
Electricity is a modern convenience that is
very difficult to live without. Along with its
advantages, electricity has its dangers as well. In
addition to the potential to electrocute those that come
into contact with it, electricity can also create fires.
Once started, fires spread very quickly. This year’s Fire
Prevention Month theme is “Fire Spreads Fast — Don’t
Let It Start.” The main focus of this year’s theme is to
educate people on how to prevent fires from starting.
Worldwide, electrical fires in homes claim many lives
and cause many injuries each year. Some of these fires
are caused by electrical system failures and appliance
defects. Many more, however, are caused by misuse
and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, wiring
that was installed incorrectly and overloaded circuits or
extension cords.
Electrical wiring
Most electrical fires are the result of defective wiring,
such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring that is not
up to modern safety codes. The misuse and overloading
of outlets, extension and appliance cords, and problems
with plugs also cause many home electrical fires.
Improper use of electrical cords includes overloading
circuits, poor maintenance and running cords under
rugs or in high-traffic areas.
When using or purchasing extension cords, it is
important to ensure that the cord has been approved
by a recognized authority such as Underwriters
Laboratories (UL), Factory Mutual (FM) or the European
Committee for Standardization. There are many inferior
products on the market that may save you a bit of
money up front, but could cost you much more in the
long run if their use results in a fire.
To prevent electrical fires, follow these safety tips for
electrical wiring, outlets and extension cords:
Never overload extension cords or wall outlets.

1st Quarter 2010
3
Immediately turn off, then have a
qualified electrician replace, any light
switches that are hot to the touch,
any lights that flicker and any outlets
that emit sparks.
Replace any damaged, frayed or
cracked electrical cords.
Call a qualified electrician if you have
problems with blown fuses or tripped
circuit breakers.
Make sure that cords do not run
across doorways or under rugs or
carpets. If necessary, have a qualified
electrician install more outlets.
Make sure long cords are not rolled
tightly when in use.
Do not place furniture over cords.
Ensure that all outlets and switches
have faceplates.
Ensure all plugs are firmly seated
since loose or partially fitted plugs can
cause arcing resulting in an intensely
hot fire.
Be sure that the bulbs in your light
fixtures and lamps are the correct
wattage. Check and comply with the
sticker that indicates the maximum
wattage for the light bulb in each
fixture.
Ensure that there are ground fault
circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets
throughout your home, especially
in damp or wet areas, such as the
kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, garage
and outdoor areas. Test GFCIs once a
month to make sure they are working
properly.
Electrical appliances
Home appliances — such as electric
stoves and ovens, dryers, air conditioning
and heating units, televisions, radios and
computers — may cause electrical fires.
Follow these safety guidelines to ensure
that your appliances are maintained and
used safely:
Routinely check all home electrical
appliances and cords for physical
condition.
Be sure that your appliances are
the correct voltage. Most homes
are equipped with 110 V or 220 V
electricity, or both. Using the wrong
voltage appliance can cause a fire.
Replace all worn, old or damaged
appliance cords immediately. Frayed
wires can cause fires.
Keep electrical appliances away from
wet floors and counters. Pay special
attention to electrical appliances in
the bathroom and kitchen, even if
your home is equipped with GFCI
outlets.
Look for products that meet the
standards of a recognized testing
laboratory (e.g., UL or FM) when
buying electrical appliances.
Don’t allow children near electrical
appliances that create heat, such as
irons, hair dryers and toasters.
Unplug small appliances and those
with heating elements after use.
Plug one heat-producing appliance
only into each outlet to prevent wiring
from overheating.
Only use three-slot outlets for
appliances with three-prong plugs.
Replace any electrical tool that
causes even small electrical shocks,
overheats, shorts out, gives off smoke
or sparks, or has frayed or cracked
cords.
Place lamps on level surfaces, away
from combustibles (e.g., curtains and
bedding).
Space heaters
Many people use portable space heaters
during winter months. Follow these
safety tips to prevent fires related to
space heaters:
Make sure the space heater has been
tested by, and bears the approval label
of, a recognized authority. Look on
the bottom of the space heater for a
label from a testing organization.
Ensure that the space heater is
placed at least 1 meter away from
combustible items, such as curtains
and furniture.
Never leave a space heater
unattended. Turn off space heaters
before leaving a room or going to
sleep.
Supervise children and pets at all times
when a portable space heater is in use.
Never use space heaters to dry clothes
or blankets.
Proper response to electrical fires
Fighting an electrical fire is especially
dangerous because it has the potential
to electrocute as well as burn you. The
first priorities, as with any fire, are to
evacuate the home and call for help (in
Saudi Aramco communities dial 110; in
local communities call 998).
Only try to fight the fire if:
It is small and you will not endanger
yourself or your family by fighting it.
You have the appropriate type of fire
extinguisher.
You have received proper training on
how to use the extinguisher.
Use a Class C or multipurpose A:B:C
extinguisher to fight a fire that has a risk
of hazardous electrical shock. Do not use
a Class A (water-solution) extinguisher
on energized electrical equipment since
water conducts electricity.
If it is safe to do so, unplug the appliance
or trip the circuit breaker that caused
the fire in order to “de-energize” it.
When an electrical fire is de-energized, it
becomes a Class A fire and is much safer
to put out.
Keeping these tips in mind will allow you
to live safely with electricity and know
what to do in case a fire starts.

4 Panorama
Help Your Children
Do Well in School
Being a parent brings with it enormous joy and great challenges. One of the most important challenges
parents face is the responsibility to raise children to be physically and emotionally balanced. Helping
children do well in school, especially when they are young, is critical to instilling in them the importance
of good education that can help them be successful, achieving and balanced adults.
The family environment is crucial, especially in forming good study habits early on. Teaching is not the sole
responsibility of the teacher. Even the most effective teachers, the ones who motivate their students by using
creative and innovative teaching styles, are not enough. Parental involvement is a key factor in a student’s
academic success. The guidance and support kids receive at home help them in their school work and
reinforce the importance of education. Studies show that kids whose parents are involved in their education
have better grades, a better attitude toward school and more appropriate school behavior than those with
less involved parents.

1st Quarter 2010
5
Strategies
The following are 10 important strategies
to help children be better students and
do well in school.
1. Create a home learning
environment.
The first 10 years of a child’s life
are essential not just for building
relationships but for developing good
study habits as well. Investing time
and effort, especially in these early
years, provides a steady foundation for
lifelong learning. International studies
show that more than 80% of highachieving
students around the world
seldom rely on professional tutors
after school. Instead, these students
achieve good results with help from
their parents. Many parents tutor their
children until grades 4 or 5, by which
time these students have developed
good study habits and can study well
on their own. In the upper grades,
parents act more as guides, and are
consulted and assist children mainly
on complicated topics. An important
task for parents, however, remains
making sure that children complete
their homework.
2. Provide a quiet place and a set
time to study every day.
Studies show that a set time and place
to study are important factors in how
well students perform. For example,
while typical American students study
wherever and whenever they like,
Japanese students have their own
spaces (although tiny) and time for
studying. Many Japanese parents
say that their child has a set time to
go to bed and to wake up. Because
of these factors, Japanese students
generally perform better at school
than American students.
Although some students insist that
they study better with the stereo
or TV on, and the mobile phone
constantly ringing, some students
may not perform at their best when
distracted with a constant sound in
their ears, especially when studying
abstract subjects such as math that
require reflection and practice. Make
sure children have a set time and
place to study. Provide a desk, invest
in good lighting, turn off all possible
distractions and make sure that
children develop a solid routine for
daily study.
3. Frequently discuss with your child
what happens in school.
Make sure that communication
lines between you and your child
are open and free. Children must
be able to confide in parents about
important happenings in school and
their feelings. Be constantly present
in your child’s life so that he or she
will not have to turn solely to peers
for affirmation. Remember that peer
pressure becomes significant in a
teenager’s life. Your communication
can range from daily news to
important events that take place at
school. Other topics of discussion can
include how to balance academics and
after-school activities, or dealing with
teachers and handling specific subjects.
4. Make a variety of reference
materials available at home.
In addition to the Internet and
textbooks, make other books,
encyclopedias, yearbooks, manuals
and CD-ROMs available for the
student. It’s also important to teach
children how to consult reference
materials. Help your child by keeping
homework supplies and materials
in one place and ready for work.
Searching for missing items is
frustrating and can waste precious
homework time.
Recommended supplies
(depending on the age of your
child)
• Plenty of paper
• Sharpened pencils with erasers
• Pencil sharpener
• Ruler
• Crayons
• Paper hole reinforcers
• Glue stick
• Colored pencils
• Colored pens and markers
(thick and thin points)
• Stapler with box of staples
• Paper clips
• Single-hole punch
• Three-hole punch
• Dictionary
• Thesaurus
• Electronic spell checker
• Self-stick notepads
• Highlighter pens
• Index cards
• Calculator
TV may not be as bad an influence
as is usually thought, especially when
selectively watching educational
shows like those on The Discovery
Channel and National Geographic.
Many achieving students still watch
TV and surf the Net, but rarely
more than a couple of hours a day
and many limit TV watching to just
weekends.
5. Develop their love for reading
when children are young.
The cornerstone of education is
literacy. If your children can read
and write well, they will be better
able to express their own ideas and
arguments, analyze those of others,
and convey their thoughts and
emotions effectively.
To promote literacy in the
household:
Read to your child every day.
Ask your child to read to you
often.
Request your child to complete
fun weekend reading and
prepare book reports.
Help your child write letters to
relatives and friends.
Ask your child to write short
summaries about his/her favorite
TV shows.
Have your child make up short
stories on hot summer or rainy
days, or whenever indoor
activities are required.
Declare your child a reporter
to cover and write stories for
family outings like vacations.
Remember that kids imitate adults. Read
to encourage your children to become
readers.

6 Panorama
6. Develop a good strategy for
homework and testing.
The challenge is how to invest time
and effort in developing good study
habits in children. Most students and
parents shudder at the thought of
homework. Help your children realize
that homework is the best way to
practice and, therefore, retain the
skills they learned at school. Help your
child with homework by:
Understanding the school’s homework
policy. Know how much homework
is considered appropriate, how
homework is marked and what
it means to your child’s overall
classroom experience.
Investing in a student diary. Make
sure your child records all of the
homework each day.
Remaining available during
homework. It is easier for your child
to casually ask a question if you are in
the same or next room.
Setting a regular time and place for
homework. Help your child get into a
routine.
Keeping all regular supplies and
resources (e.g., stationery and
reference books) on hand.
Reviewing all completed homework.
Complimenting your child on a job
well done.
Help your child be well prepared for
exams:
Invest in a wall calendar on which
your child can write test dates.
After each evening of homework,
ask your children to tell you in their
own words what the assignment was
about.
Read chapters with your children to
make sure that they understand the
content.
Help your children get comfortable
with test formats, such as multiple
choice or true and false, by inventing
questions of your own.
Ask your children to answer questions
about their assignments, if this is not
part of their homework.
Make sure that children get a good
night’s sleep before a test.
Make sure children eat a healthy
breakfast on test days.
Remind children that results are
important but doing their best is more
so.
7. Encourage children to strive for
their maximum potential.
Genetics have little to do with how
well or how badly children do in
school. Resist any temptation to use
phrases like “You take after your
mom and this is why you are not
good in math,” or “Thank goodness
you take after your dad and this is
why you are doing well in school.”
You should always remember that
children do well because they have
good study habits and a solid learning
background. Instill in your children
the belief that they make their own
success and that you are there to
guide them when necessary. Effort is
more important than whatever innate
ability they may possess. Encourage
your children to do their best and
inspire them with real-life accounts of
people who have done well because
of perseverance and hard work.
Reward good grades with recognition
and praise, but avoid the temptation
to use money as a bribe for good
performance. When a child does well,
it’s beneficial to relay the news to
family and friends, which can bolster
the child’s self-esteem.
8. Be supportive even when children
get low grades.
Realize that no one is perfect and
that an occasional low grade is okay.
Frequent low grades, however, are
a concern. Support your child even
when (and especially when) he/
she gets low grades and help them
do better next time. When a child
gets a low grade, parents should do
their best to help by tutoring him/
her themselves, researching reference
materials, consulting the teacher or
rethinking the balance of academics
and extracurricular activities. Parents
should not compare one child with
other siblings or peers and should not
put pressure on the child.

1st Quarter 2010
7
9. Setting, negotiating and enforcing
rules are acts of love and the
responsibility of good parents.
Parents’ role is to be parents, not
peers. Have regular family discussions
on what is expected from children
and what is right or wrong behavior.
Children need our constant guidance,
so together with your child, develop
his/her personal goals. Goal-setting
is integral for growth and life path.
Be supportive of career choices and
advise on realistic expectations. For
example, while your son may want to
be a soccer player, encourage him to
do well at school first. You should also
support and attend extracurricular
activities, recognizing that these are
another source of self-worth.
Parents must also make children face
the consequences of their negative
behavior. Discipline is inevitable and
the job of good parents. But the
method of discipline varies with
age and even with the personality
of the child. Time-out may work
best for young children, while
withdrawal of privileges may be
effective for teenagers. Reducing TV
or computer time is a popular and
effective strategy. But parents must
not give in to their teenagers when
they complain or make a fuss. Good
parents impart the value of discipline
and hard work through modeling
it themselves as well as through
questioning and conversation.
10. Time, communication and
affection are essential to success
and family well-being.
Take time to be with your children.
Involve your children in family
discussions. Encourage the exchange
of opinions about a variety of
subjects, including politics, travel,
music and art. Play games or
activities that enable children to
reinforce the academic skills they
are learning. Make up games
or play ready-made games like
Scrabble.
Take time to visit the school,
attend school meetings, get
involved in parent-teacher
organizations and help out at
school if asked. Continue good
communication with the children’s
teachers so you are familiar with
how they interact with your child.
Demonstrate affection. Remember
little things count, like having
family dinners and reminding
children that you are there for
them. Showing your unconditional
love for them can make a world
of difference in them trying their
best at school.

8 Panorama
It’s the end of the day. Time to relax at home; curl up on the lovely soft sofa and enjoy the warmth from the heater.
The house was just cleaned and there’s a faint odor of cleaning products, but a candle burning nearby is helping to
eliminate that smell. The cat is purring on a feather pillow nearby and your son is carefully gluing together a project
for school.
And as you’re relaxing, your house is busy producing pollution.
Most of us think of pollution as something that happens outside — that’s where there are car fumes and smog. Home
is where we can breathe a sigh of relief and relax after a long day, but studies from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency have shown that indoor air quality can actually be worse than the air you breathe outside. This indoor
pollution can have many different and ongoing effects including dizziness, watery eyes and fatigue — a combination
that can seriously compromise your safety at home, at work and on the road.
Breathe
Safely at Home

1st Quarter 2010
9
Sources of indoor pollution
The most common indoor pollutants
are animal dander (tiny, almost invisible
scales from hair, feathers or skin),
dust mites, household dust and insect
parts, fungi or mold, pollen and germs
(bacteria or viruses). Some or all of
these are found in every home. They
thrive in areas that provide moisture and
nutrients, such as bathrooms; damp or
flooded basements; wet appliances, such
as humidifiers or air conditioners; and
even carpets and furniture.
There are many other sources of indoor
air pollution in any home. Furnishings,
wet or damp carpets, cabinetry and
furniture made of certain pressed wood
products produce living organisms;
products for household cleaning and
maintenance, personal care or hobbies;
pesticides; central heating and cooling
(microscopic animals living in household
dust) and pollen. These reactions can
range from mildly uncomfortable to life
threatening, as happens with a severe
asthma attack. The most common
symptoms of allergic reactions include:
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose and sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Itching
• Coughing
• Wheezing and difficulty breathing
• Headaches
• Fatigue
Serious health effects of indoor
pollution
According to the American Medical
Association, 94% of all respiratory
ailments are caused by polluted air and
one-third of the U.S. national health bill
to indoor pollution varies from person
to person and since most of these
substances can be found everywhere in
varying amounts, a full analysis of the air
inside a home or building doesn’t offer
any answers.
The good news is that we can each do
a lot to cut down biological pollution
in our homes. Begin with a tour of the
house. Use your nose and use your
eyes. Remember that the two major
factors, which help create conditions
for biological pollutants to grow, are
nutrients and constant moisture.
Pollution control
Everyone likes a clean house, but
overuse of cleaning products can
increase pollution. Many cleaning
products give off toxins. Read the labels
carefully and always use the smallest
systems, and humidification devices; all
of these promote poor indoor air quality.
In addition, anything burning gives off
smoke and pollution, including cooking
gas, kerosene, wood, candles, shishas
and tobacco.
How much pollution and how hazardous
it is depends on different things. Two
gas stoves will give off quite different
amounts of carbon monoxide depending
on how old and how well maintained
each one is.
Health problems
Common health effects of indoor
pollution
The most common health problem
associated with indoor air quality is an
allergic reaction. This is most often the
result of animal dander, house dust mites
is directly related to indoor air pollution,
such as toxic mold damage and black
mold. Breathing these mold spores can
cause severe allergic reactions, serious
breathing difficulties, memory and
hearing loss, dizziness, flu-like symptoms
and bleeding in the lungs.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases that are caused by
bacteria or viruses, such as the common
flu, measles, chicken pox, meningococcal
infection and tuberculosis, can also result
from indoor pollution, particularly in
crowded areas with poor air circulation.
What can be done?
The bad news is that there is no simple
and cheap way to sample the air inside a
home or building to determine the level
of all biological pollutants. Sensitivity
amount possible. Start by using less than
is recommended on the container. Not
only will you save money, you will keep
the air you breathe safer.
Pesticides are another cause of indoor
pollution. Always consider alternative
ways to eliminate pests — such as
keeping food in airtight containers and
using baits or traps. If spray is required,
make certain that it is labeled for indoor
use and the least toxic one available. Try
to find the source of the pests — where
they are entering — and only spray in
that area, rather than spraying widely
throughout the room or the house.
Moisture control
Moisture in the house can come from
many sources including the bathroom,
the kitchen, water leaks or seepage. You
can help control the moisture in your

10 Panorama
home by fixing leaks; using exhaust fans
in the bathroom and kitchen to remove
moisture; venting your clothes dryer to
the outside and turning off appliances,
such as humidifiers, if you notice
moisture on windows or other surfaces.
Keep carpets clean and dry as they can
absorb moisture and serve as a place for
biological pollutants to grow.
Anything that increases air circulation
can help minimize pollutants. Having
a source of fresh air in the house can
minimize or even eliminate excess
moisture. Opening doors between
rooms, especially doors to closets, can
increase circulation.
Appliances
Major appliances, such as central air
conditioners, should be inspected and
cleaned regularly by a professional.
Home owners themselves can change
and clean filters regularly according
to the manufacturer’s directions.
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers should
be cleaned, emptied and refilled
daily, according to the manufacturer’s
specifications. In the kitchen, check that
the refrigerator’s drip pan is dry and that
the refrigerator and freezer doors are
sealed properly. Remove any mold on
door gaskets and replace faulty gaskets.
Make sure the dryer is vented to the
outside.
Dust control
Use washable area rugs that can be
cleaned thoroughly and often, rather
than wall-to-wall carpets. Consider using
synthetic or foam rubber mattress pads
and pillows. People who are particularly
sensitive to dust should avoid fuzzy
wool blankets, feather or wool-stuffed
comforters and feather pillows. Always
wash bedding in hot water to kill dust
mites. Bedding should be laundered
frequently. Clean rooms and closets well;
vacuum often to remove surface dust.
Some particles are so small that they can
pass through vacuum bags and remain
in the air. Those who are particularly
allergic to dust should wear a mask
when vacuuming or dusting — or even
leave the house while someone else
does these chores.
Mold control
The following steps will help get rid of
mold from surfaces. Remember to wear
gloves and a mask for protection:
1. Thoroughly scrub and clean the
affected area using soapy water and
proper brushes.
2. Thoroughly disinfect the surface. Use
30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of
household bleach to 4 liters (16 cups)
of water to clean the area using a
sponge.

1st Quarter 2010 11
Home sweet home
Every home has biological pollutants and it is impossible to remove them all. However, it is possible
to reduce the amount and effect of biological pollutants. You can do so by limiting the use of
chemicals, like cleaning agents and pesticides, maintaining large appliances in good condition and
keeping fresh air circulating. These actions will help make your home the relaxing, healthy place we
each deserve.

12 Panorama
Firing Up to Be
a Happy Camper
One of the great advantages of
living in a country such as Saudi
Arabia is the warm climate.
Although during the summer months it
can be a little too hot for daily activities,
come winter the temperature has
cooled sufficiently to allow us to enjoy
a number of outdoor pursuits.
Spending time outdoors is great fun;
whether playing sports or simply taking
a walk, it’s healthy and makes a break
from the daily routine. Many families
take advantage of the weather during
weekends or holidays to explore the
outside and a popular and adventurous
pastime for families is camping.
Camping brings with it wonderful
opportunities to relax, venture
somewhere new and explore the
environment. Such a trip takes a little
organization and forward planning to
make sure a fun weekend stays that
way — fun and injury free. A key part
of camping is, of course, cooking.
Whether heating water for hot drinks
or preparing an open-air meal, one
important part of your campsite is the
campfire. However, it’s also not hard to
realize that an open fire, with hot coals
or wood in an open environment, can be
very dangerous. It’s essential, therefore,
that you and your family know how to
build, maintain and extinguish one.
Enjoying the great outdoors
Camping is an exciting adventure,
especially for children. There is so much
to be gained from enjoying a night out
in the open under the stars. However,
there are many safety elements to be
considered when you and your family,
even your friends, are out in nature’s
best. It is important to be fully aware
of how to camp and prepare correctly
before your trip. When venturing out
into areas that you don’t know, always
make sure you are fully prepared for
the trip and are aware of the dangers
as well as the delights of where you are
going. Research this properly — start
by reading the article in Panorama 1st
quarter 2008 on desert camping.
This article focuses on that crucial
part of your camping experience,
the campfire. Camping definitely
requires teamwork and this goes for
creating your campfire too. Everyone
learns and shares in the responsibility.
Children under 10 years old should
not be involved in campfire activities
unless an adult is around to help them.
Above that age and into teens, it’s
good for children to learn how to be
responsible around fires, and helping
adults build and maintain a campfire
can do this. However, be diligent; as
a basic rule, children should never be
left unattended around campfires.
Information about fire safety is also
more likely to stick in children’s minds
if they understand what they are doing
and why. Teach and explain to them as
you go along — it’s all part of family
teamwork!

1st Quarter 2010 13
What’s cooking?
Campfires are a big part of your camp
for a number of reasons. They provide
the means to cook, warmth when the
temperature drops at night and act as
a deterrent to any interested animals,
small and large, that may be keen to
come and visit you. The campfire will be
your focal point during your camping
trip so it’s important that everyone
knows how to look after it and act
around it — with the heat and flames
so close, there are obvious dangers.
Information from Australia’s Queensland
Fire and Rescue Service reveals that as
little as one second of contact with a
campfire of 70 °C or hotter can cause
a third-degree burn. It also reveals that
the majority of burns to children from
campfires came from contact with hot
ashes and embers rather than the fire
itself. An average size campfire can get
as hot as 500 °C in only three hours.
With temperatures like that, everyone
on the trip needs to be aware of how to
behave around the fire to prevent any
burns. Teaching your children the basic
fire facts and how to act will go a long
way to prevent any accidents; it can be a
safety lesson for life.
Dos and don’ts of campfire
safety
These basic rules will help keep your
campfire experience, and your whole
trip, safe and enjoyable. They apply
whether you’re on a desert trip or
camping anywhere else.
Choose a proper site for your
campfire: As a first rule, choose your
campfire site away from any shrubs,
bushes or materials that could catch
fire, or where flames could be blown
across to reach anything that may easily
burn.
Once you have found a good place for
your campfire, clear the ground of any
dry leaves, wood and other debris that
could quickly ignite. Build the fire well
away from any other flammable items
and from gas cylinders.
If you are pitching tents, make sure this
is done upwind of the campfire. It is a
good idea to decide where your fire will
be, then pitch your tents (and park your
vehicles) accordingly. Never pitch tents
or have bed linen, such as sleeping bags,
near a fire because sparks or embers
could reach and ignite the fabric. It is not
advisable to sleep around the fire; there
is a danger you or a family member
could roll into it.
Use a fire pan or fire ring: These keep
campfires contained and will prevent
them from spreading to other areas.
Build your fire inside a fire pan. This is a
small, metal pan elevated a few inches
off the ground. Using a fire pan will
also help prevent damage or scarring to
soil or rock underneath (this helps the
environment). Be careful when handling
metal fire pans as they stay hot long
after the fire has gone out.
If you do not have a fire pan, build a
fire ring around the edge of your fire
using rocks to mark the perimeter and
to contain it. This also acts as a “keep
back” boundary marker for children.
Bring the proper cookware: Since
your campfire is going to be the number
one source for cooking your food, make
sure you have the correct items that can
be safely used with an open fire, such
as cast-iron cookware, grilling rack and
fire-friendly utensils. Don’t use anything
that could melt or burn — as well as
being fire hazards, they could produce
hazardous fumes.
Keep it small: Keep your fire small
and, if using firewood, use only small
branches that you can break with your
hands. Larger fires are harder to control
and produce more heat than you may
need.
Getting started: Never use any kind
of flammable liquid, such as gasoline or
lighter fluid, to start your campfire. Use
matches, kindling or fire cubes instead.
Keep well back: Children should be
taught to always stay a good distance
from the fire (1 to 2 meters away),
unless an adult is present, and never to

14 Panorama
lean over a fire — even when it is out.
Embers can stay hot for many hours
afterwards.
Wear the right clothing: Long, loose
clothing such as scarves, sleeves and
coats can be a fire hazard if they trail
into the flames. Make sure you keep
loose clothing away from the fire. Better
still, keep your clothing well tucked in.
Supervise children: Children are
fascinated by fire — teach them not to
play with it. Tell them not to poke it,
light sticks from it to play with or ever
try and take something out of a fire or
off the grill rack by themselves; adults
should always handle this and supervise
cooking sessions carefully!
Watch hot food: If you are bringing
anything directly from the fire to
be eaten, remember that it will be
extremely hot! So hot it could cause a
serious mouth burn. Put it on a plate
and leave it to cool first.
Tidy up: It is possible to burn paper on
your fire as a good means of disposal,
however, make sure adults only or
responsible teenagers do this. Never
put too much paper on a fire and
ensure there is no chance of it falling
or blowing out of the fire once it is
burning. Use an iron poker or tongs to
push firmly into the fire.
Stand to attention: As well as
supervising the children, also supervise
your fire! Once it’s lit, never leave it
unattended; at least one responsible
adult should always be close by keeping
an eye on it.
Make sure it’s out: Make sure the fire
is completely out before you leave or
go away from the campsite for the day.
The best way is to douse the fire many
times with water until no more steam or
hissing noises come from it. Make sure
everyone is standing well back to avoid
splatters from the fire. It is not safe to
use sand or soil to cover the fire and
leave it to extinguish; embers and coals
can remain extremely hot for hours after
and may reignite. There is also a danger
of children playing or standing on the
sand or soil pyramid that is created this
way, thinking they are safe to do so. But
if they sink into the mound, they could
be seriously burned.
Letting the fire burn out on its own is
not recommended either. Leaving fires
to extinguish this way runs a real risk of
reignition because embers stay hot for
many hours afterwards.
The safest recommended method is to
use water every time. This is the best and
quickest way of ensuring that your fire is
out and the temperature of the embers
is greatly reduced. Remember you can
use dishwater as a means of putting the
fire out.
Portable barbecue sets
Of course, instead of a campfire,
you may take a barbecue with you
instead — either disposable or a small
iron camping barbecue. Disposable
barbecues are quicker and easier
to start up, clear up and dispose of
later. Keep in mind that barbecue sets
don’t provide some of the basics that
a campfire can (all round heat, light
and cooking facility); they are just for
cooking!
If you are using a barbecue, most of
the same campfire safety rules apply;
both are heat sources with exposed
flames, so how you behave around
one should be how you behave
around the other.
Charcoal barbecues follow the same
safety precautions as your campfire
— again, always be aware of how
quickly flames can reach people and
objects if not carefully watched.
Gas-fired barbecues need slightly
different handling than charcoal-fired
barbecues:
• Ensure all connections and supply
lines are correctly fitted and not
worn.
• Check to make sure there are no
leaks.
• Keep gas cylinders well away from
flame sources and in the shade
(create some shade if you are
in areas where none is naturally
available).
• Open the barbecue lid before
lighting the barbecue.
• If the barbecue does not ignite,
turn the control valve off and wait
5 minutes before trying again.
• Keep lighters and matches out of
the reach of children, especially
when gas is near!
For more information on barbecuing,
check out Panorama 1st Quarter 2006
and 2009 issues
(http://lp.aramco.com.sa/site/
education/publications/panorama/
default.aspx).

1st Quarter 2010 15
Stay Positive … and Stay
Safe — The Power of
Positive Thinking
The power of positive thinking is a
popular topic these days. Positive
thinking and the outlook you have on
life is now being viewed more and more as a
key element in your personal and professional
development, health and welfare, with
scientific research to support this.
Thinking positively, in other words being
an optimist, seems to bring many benefits
with it. Studies have found that optimists
report having fewer health problems and are
generally happier, calmer and more peaceful.
How do these findings relate to your life? And
how do they relate to safety? It may not seem
obvious at first, but approaching our lives and
work optimistically helps us improve our daily
life, health and safety. With a positive attitude,
attention is more focused and awareness more
acute, meaning our thoughts and behavior are
more considered — and therefore safer.

16 Panorama
Having the right attitude
You may consider your attitude is just
fine as it is. You may, of course, be
right. However, this article can help
reveal if your thoughts are putting you
on a negative path. Our minds are
very finely tuned and experiences can
influence our attitude — over the years
or as the result of a particular situation
— in ways we may not even realize.
Having the right attitude is not just
about being happy and bright when
things are going well. It is the ability
to accept and process a situation
even when it has not (or is not) going
according to plan; then considering,
planning and actioning the best way
forward given the circumstances. The
right attitude is an ongoing, everyday
approach but most often it is how
we react to a specific difficulty that
indicates whether we are an optimist
or a pessimist.
Who is an optimist and who is
a pessimist?
An optimist is a person with a positive
outlook on life, day-to-day and looking
to the future. A pessimist is — you’ve
guessed it — someone with a negative
outlook on life. You may not consider
yourself a pessimist; however, the
expression “the glass is either half full
or half empty” illustrates the difference
well. Pessimists often use negative
expressions, outlooks and personal
thoughts that color their overall attitude
and actions. Their glass is “half empty.”
Optimists see more hope and possibility,
and appreciate the here and now. Their
glass is “half full.”
Consider the following scenario:
Thought: I’d like to learn to swim.
The optimist: Great, I’m looking
forward to learning something new. I’ll
find a class and see how I get on. If it’s
not for me, I’ll do something different.
The pessimist: Hmm, I’d like to swim
but it seems quite hard to learn and I
probably won’t be any good at it. There
may not be a class nearby anyway.
Inner talk and procrastination
Inner talk is an ongoing stream of selftalk
and thoughts that run through
our minds. When inner talk becomes
too negative, it clouds our judgment,
distracts us and can have a serious
outcome on our actions and behavior,
which in turn can lead to errors and
possible incidents. Common negative
thought patterns are:
Polarizing: Thinking in terms of all
or nothing; good or bad — there is
no middle ground. You have either
succeeded brilliantly or totally failed.
Filtering: Removing any positive aspects
of a situation and only remembering or
focusing on the negative — one person
commented that they didn’t understand
your presentation but nine other people
loved it. You only remember that one
person’s perceived negative comment.
Catastrophizing: Anticipating and
believing the worst, and even being
glad when it happens because it
proves you right!
Personalizing: Assuming you, and
only you, are at fault when something
goes wrong. Also being overly critical
of others.
There is a common element in the
above thought patterns; when your
thoughts become negatively and
inwardly focused, your awareness and
response behavior to outside factors
can be greatly affected. For example:
You are caught in a traffic jam on the
way to work and there is a chance you
may be late. Your mind starts working
overtime on how disastrous this will
be as you have an early meeting with
the manager. You are so busy worrying
over this and dramatizing what the
outcome may be, you fail to see that
the car in front has braked sharply.
And now you really will be late as you
have a traffic incident on your hands
from running into the back of a car.
Does this sound like you? If you
suffer from negative self-talk, this will
definitely affect your attitude and it’s
time to start challenging it.
Procrastination is another common
characteristic of the pessimist —
putting tasks off to the point they
never get done! Delaying jobs is a
very common human trait; however,
constantly doing so is a waste of time
and can drain energy.
Procrastination can also be downright
dangerous. Putting off tasks that you
have been meaning to do — such as
phoning an electrician to fix a faulty
light switch — could lead to a serious
safety incident at home or at work.
Shifting your perspective
Changing your thinking pattern can be
challenging — but it is possible.
You can help improve your outlook if
you make it a habit to:
Refocus
If a situation is not going according to
plan, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed
to fail nor that you are a failure. Bring
your thoughts back round to the

1st Quarter 2010 17
With a positive attitude, attention is more focused
and awareness more acute, meaning our thoughts
and behavior are more considered — and
therefore safer.
positive elements about yourself and
the situation. There is rarely nothing
positive to see — unless you just
choose not to. Refocusing can help
you apply good behavior and eliminate
risks.
Reaffirm
Remind yourself daily of the qualities
and abilities you have. Recognize and
appreciate your good points as well
your flaws (we all have them). Banish
self-doubt and remind yourself of all
the things you are, not all the things
you’re not.
Recheck
If you have a tendency to be harsh
on yourself, question whether you
are being balanced in your selfassessment.
Are you needlessly
criticizing yourself just because you
always do? Back up and reflect on
your positive qualities.
Refill
Consciously fill your mind with positive
thoughts. Engage in activities and
pastimes that feed your mind in this
way. Even when others misbehave, do
not allow their actions to affect you
or your behavior. For example, when
driving, stay focused on driving safely
regardless of unsafe driving behavior
around you.
Other habits can also help:
• Speaking positively — Don’t
just think it, speak it. Talking
optimistically about situations and
people reinforces the attitude in
your head and creates well-being
and a safer environment all-around.
• Learning from mistakes —
Everyone makes them and this
is how we learn. Do not look on
making a mistake as a disaster; it
shows how you can improve next
time. Use mistakes as a learning
opportunity that will also help prevent
inappropriate, unsafe actions in the
future.
• Appreciating the good — Take stock
of what you have to be grateful for.
Gratitude can help you shift the focus
to what’s good in your life and find
ways to preserve it, such as the
well-being and safety of your family.
• Thinking good people thoughts —
Talking or thinking in a pessimistic
way about others does neither you
nor them any good. Reduce your
critical outlook of people; if you
are irritated by someone, challenge
yourself to look for their positives
or simply acknowledge the fact you
don’t get on and stay on your own
course.
Be aware that your current viewpoint
influences how you think, feel and act
so it can be responsible for the outcome
of your actions too. Minds that are too
taken up with negatives, bad attitudes
and procrastination are not focusing
properly and this can be dangerous.
Imagine using a hand drill in the house
while you are still annoyed and thinking
about a comment from a workmate
the day before. You are so busy
replaying it in your mind, you’re not
paying attention and drill too far into
the wall, hitting an electrical wire.
Worse yet, imagine having your hands
on a steering wheel when you are
preoccupied with negative thoughts.
You risk your life and the lives of those
around you.
A positive attitude can bring energy,
focus, reliability — all welcome
qualities and necessary ones for a
safe and healthy workplace and
community. No one can be bright
and cheerful all the time; however,
appreciating the power of positive
thinking can have remarkably
good effects. Indeed even if you
don’t believe in positive thinking,
approaching your daily life in a
different manner is certainly not going
to harm you. So what do you have
to lose by checking out your attitude
today?

18 Panorama
Home fire safety
Fires are scary and very dangerous
They are loud and hot, and their smoke makes everything dark as it spreads fast.
Fires hurt and destroy things in your home. You and your family can help make
your home safe from fires.
Where in your home do fire hazards exist? What can you do to make sure that
your family is less likely to be harmed by fire?
Throughout the house
Never put anything over a lamp,
like clothes or a blanket, not even
when playing.
Don’t touch the heater. Ask an
adult to turn a heater on or off for
you.
Don’t stand too close to candles.
You could get burned or your
clothes could catch fire.
Never touch matches or lighters.
If you see matches or lighters in a
room, tell an adult right away.
In the kitchen
Don’t cook alone or without asking
an adult. Remind your parent to turn
the pot handles toward the center of
the stove. They should never hang
over the edge where someone could
bump into them and knock them off
the stove.
Around electricity
Don’t play with electrical cords.
Never stick anything into an
electrical socket.
Turn off lights, stereos, TVs and
other electrical equipment when
you are finished using them.
Smoke detectors
What is a smoke detector?
Smoke detectors are tools that can
tell if there is smoke in the air. They
work even if you can’t smell smoke. A
smoke detector looks like a small dish
or dinner plate on the ceiling of your
home.
A smoke detector makes a very loud
beeping noise to warn you that a fire
has started. When you hear the loud
noise, follow your home escape plan
and get out fast.

1st Quarter 2010 19
You can help
Kids can help make their home safe from fire by
helping grown-ups remember to:
Put smoke detectors on every level of the home,
especially near bedrooms.
Test smoke detectors monthly to make sure they’re
working and so you’ll know what they sound like
when they go off.
Replace old batteries with brand new ones at least
once a year.
Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
Keep smoke detectors clean from dust. They can be
cleaned by running the vacuum cleaner attachment
over and around them.
Escaping from fire
What would you do if there was a fire in your home?
It’s important to get out fast! NEVER hide or take time to gather your
belongings. Good escape plans help you get out of your home quickly
in case of a fire. The best plans have two ways out of each room. If
one way is blocked by the fire you can get out the other way. When
escaping, stay low to the floor. Smoke rises during a fire. The safest air
is down low.
If you live in an apartment building and a fire occurs and your exits
are blocked, you should first call the Fire/Civil Defense to report your
exact location. Then seal off the door and air vents with duct tape or a
towel, open the windows and wait for the Fire/Civil Defense to arrive.
Help your family make an escape plan
1. Try to find two ways out of every room in your home. The first way
out should be a door. Every way needs to be planned and practiced
with grown-ups.
2. Before opening any door in a fire, feel the door first at the bottom
and then work your hand up the door to see if it is hot. A hot door
means there may be fire on the other side. Try to get out using the
other way.
3. Pick a safe and easy-to-remember place outside the home to meet
your family after you get out.
4. After you get out, call for help — inside Saudi Aramco dial 110 or
998 if you live in the outside community.
5. Stay outside no matter what. Don’t go back inside for anything!
Make sure to practice your escape plan with your family at least
twice a year!

20 Panorama
Fire Safety Quiz
Question 1
How often should you change the
batteries in the smoke detectors in
your home?
A. Once a month.
B. Once every 3 months.
C. Once every 6 months.
D. Once a year.
Question 2
How often should you test the smoke
detectors in your home?
A. Once a month.
B. Once every 3 months.
C. Once every 6 months.
D. Once a year.
Question 3
How often should you replace the
smoke detectors in your home?
A. Every year.
B. Every 5 years.
C. Every 10 years.
D. Every 20 years.
Question 4
Where should you place smoke
detectors in your home?
A. On every level.
B. Outside every sleeping area.
C. In the kitchen and bathroom.
D. A and B.
Question 5
Where should you place smoke detectors
in a room?
A. On or near the ceiling.
B. On or near the floor.
C. In the middle of the wall.
D. In the corner of the room.
Question 6
When developing a fire escape plan,
how many ways out of each room
should you have?
A. At least 1 way.
B. At least 2 ways.
C. At least 3 ways.
D. At least 4 ways.
Question 7
In case of a fire, where should you plan
to meet your family?
A. At the front door.
B. In your bedroom.
C. In the garage.
D. Outside the house at a planned location.
Question 8
If there is a fire in your home and you
smell smoke or flames, what should you
do?
A. Stop, drop and roll.
B. Stay low and get out of the house.
C. Go tell a grown-up.
D. Yell and scream.
Question 9
After you develop an escape plan, what
is the most important thing to do?
A. Tell your friends.
B. Practice it twice a year with
your family.
C. Practice it once every 3 years
with your family.
D. Put it in a folder.
Question 10
If you are in an apartment building, a
fire occurs and your exits are blocked,
what should you do?
A. Call the Fire/Civil Defense to
report your exact location.
B. Seal off the door and air vents
with duct tape or a towel.
C. Open the windows.
D. All of the above.
Solutions:
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. A
6. B
7. D
8. B
9. B
10. D