Dubai Police have urged residents to buy gas cylinders only from licensed suppliers after authorities seized 300 non-compliant cylinders during inspection campaigns conducted since the beginning of the year.

The warning comes as part of the force’s “Your Safety and Your Family’s Come First” awareness campaign, which aims to protect residents from the dangers posed by illegally refilled gas cylinders.

According to police, some unauthorised sellers use unsafe refilling methods that fail to meet approved safety standards, significantly increasing the risk of fires and explosions in homes and buildings.

Officials said the inspections, carried out in coordination with the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, have led to the seizure of hundreds of unsafe cylinders in recent years. A total of 300 cylinders have been confiscated so far this year, following 575 seizures in 2025 and 1,361 in 2024.

Buy only from authorised suppliers

Dubai Police stressed that residents should only purchase gas cylinders from authorised companies and approved distributors operating in the UAE.

Authorities also advised residents to inspect cylinders regularly for signs of damage, corrosion or leaks and ensure household gas systems and appliances are properly maintained.

Anyone who suspects illegal gas trading or refilling activities is encouraged to report it through the Dubai Police smart app or by calling 901.

Students, teachers and employees across the UAE are set for a long weekend after authorities confirmed Monday, June 15, as a public holiday to mark the Hijri New Year.

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that schools, universities and early childhood centres will be closed on June 15, with classes resuming on Tuesday, June 16.

Earlier, the UAE government confirmed the same date as an official holiday for both public and private sector employees, in line with the country’s approved 2026 holiday calendar.

For most residents, the holiday creates a three-day weekend. In Sharjah, where government employees and students follow a four-day workweek, the public holiday extends the break to four days.

The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar and falls on the first day of Muharram, the calendar’s opening month. The exact start of Muharram is determined through official moon-sighting procedures.

With the holiday falling on a Monday, many residents can look forward to an extended break before normal work and school schedules resume on June 16.

Ras Al Khaimah residents and visitors can now ride the emirate’s first electric public bus following the launch of the upgraded Purple Route, which also offers free travel during its first month of operation.

Introduced by the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), the revamped route officially entered service on June 3 and forms part of the emirate’s push towards smarter and more sustainable transport solutions.

The upgraded Purple Route now covers an additional 14 kilometres and connects key destinations between Al Nakheel and Manar Mall, including hospitals, government centres, educational institutions and residential communities.

A major highlight of the launch is the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah’s first electric bus, supporting RAKTA’s plans to expand environmentally friendly transportation and reduce emissions across the public transport network.

The service operates 12 daily trips under an enhanced schedule designed to improve reliability, reduce waiting times and make commuting easier for passengers.

The Purple Route is one of five public bus routes operating across the emirate. With the latest expansion, Ras Al Khaimah’s public transport network now spans 215 kilometres, supporting the authority’s goal of increasing urban transport coverage to 65 per cent by 2026.

Passengers can also use the Sayer app to plan journeys, check schedules and track buses in real time.