SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
has unveiled lift-door stickers with fire safety messages as part
of a campaign to generate greater public awareness on the dangers
of discarding items at common areas such as corridors, lift
lobbies, staircases and void decks.
One such sticker was unveiled by Senior Minister of
State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, at
Blk 819, Tampines West Avenue 3 on Sunday.
The senior minister of state is also an MP for
Tampines GRC.
Fires involving discarded items at common areas in HDB estates
account for almost a quarter of the total number of residential
fires in 2012.
SCDF says such fires have the potential to be more serious in
nature due to the high fire load present and proximity to
dwellings.
18 people were injured in 707 fires involving discarded items last
year.
SCDF says leaving discarded items at the common areas, especially
combustible items such as furniture and newspapers, can easily fuel
fires when lighted materials such as cigarette butts are
indiscriminately thrown onto them.
Cluttered common areas can also seriously hamper fire-fighting
efforts, fire evacuation and conveyance of patients during a
medical emergency.
- CNA/ir