SHARJAH // Umm al Qaiwain beaches are getting a makeover featuring new warning signs for swimmers and plans to introduce food stands and public toilets, officials said this week.
The emirate's beaches, including the UAQ Corniche, have suffered from old or missing signboards telling swimmers about potentially dangerous areas.
In the next few weeks, the municipality will tear down dilapidated signposts and replace them with new, clearer versions.
Others will be added in areas that had none, said Dr Rashid al Misbah, the director general of UAQ municipality.
"Last week we had a meeting with police and civil defence to identify those areas that would need signposts on our beaches," he said. "We are now working on painting the new signs and very soon they will be visible on all our water shores."
The signs will warn swimmers of areas where the water currents are too strong as well as specifying the rules of conduct at the beaches, he said. They are being written in three languages: Arabic, English and Urdu.
"We appeal to swimmers to take notice of these posts and avoid swimming in prohibited places for their safety," he said.
Dr Misbah said there were plans to redevelop the emirate's beaches, equipping them with modern fast-food restaurants, public toilets and children's play areas, but he declined to give a specific timetable for those projects.
Despite a lack of clear warning signs, the emirate had not had any drowning in the past three years, said Lt Col Hassan bin Sallam, the director general of UAQ Civil Defence.
"We have good co-operation with the Coast Guard, police and municipality to monitor the safety of beaches, especially during the summer peak times," he said.
"We have sometimes had water accidents, and our rescue teams have hurried to help and avoid fatalities."
But the lack of warning signs has been a concern for residents such as Abdullah Ahmed, 30, who urged authorities to erect the new signs as quickly as possible.
"All the beaches in the UAE have these warning signs except here," he said.
"What will happen if the water is not safe for swimming or some areas at the beach become dangerous?"
But a big part of beach safety lies in being responsible, said Lt Col bin Sallam, who urged swimmers not to go into deep water without life jackets. Staying close to shore where other people can easily see and assist swimmers is the best way to save lives, he said.
"We have had most problems with children and youths," he said. "Some of them are not even good at swimming, but they like to go far away in the waters.
There may not be a lifeguard at every corner of the beach, but parents also have a responsibility to monitor their children and advise them on what is right and wrong."
Other residents said beaches still lacked basic amenities like public toilets.
"If you want to use the toilets you have to go to the nearest mosque and then come back," the Emirati Rashid Hamid, 35, said, referring to UAQ Corniche beach. "What kind of beach is this?"
Beachgoer Rashid Hamid echoed those concerns, saying the beaches needed practical items such as public toilets, emergency services and entertainment areas for children.
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
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Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
