SCDF to Step-up on
Enforcement Checks
With the year end fast approaching, the SCDF would like
to extend its season’s greetings to everyone and would also like to
remind everyone to exercise caution to minimise fire hazards and
prevent the outbreaks of fire during the joyous occasion.
Some useful fire safety tips are listed in
Annex
A
As the number of patrons and customers are usually
higher during the festive season, we would also like to remind
owners and management of public buildings and places of
recreation/entertainment including hotels and shopping centres to
ensure compliance to all fire safety requirements.
Escape passageways should be free of obstruction and
fire exit doors should be kept accessible for use during
emergencies. Overcrowding in building premises especially
public entertainment outlets, such as discotheques and pubs, should
be avoided as it would impede the safe evacuation of people from
the premises in the event of fire.
SCDF will be stepping up inspections and conducting an
enforcement blitz at commercial buildings to check on fire safety
violations. SCDF takes a serious view against offenders
flouting fire safety requirements. Under the Fire Safety Act,
violators may be fined up to $10,000 or be sentenced to a jail term
not exceeding 6 months, or both. Anyone who notices fire
hazards should report them to SCDF at 1800-280-0000.
Fire safety is a collective community responsibility
and together we can help to reduce fire occurrences in
Singapore.
Annex A
GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TIPS
DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
FIRE SAFETY TIPS – HOMES Cooking
1. Never leave cooking
unattended as it can result in fires. Turn off the gas supply and
cooking appliances whenever they are not in use.
2. Petrol or kerosene should
not be used to start a BBQ fire – they can flare up unexpectedly.
Use fire-starters instead.
3. Keep a bucket of water or a
garden hose nearby in case of emergencies. Never leave the barbeque
unattended.
4. Charcoal should be doused
with water when cooking is done. Smouldering charcoal and embers
should not be thrown into rubbish chutes/bins which may lead to
rubbish fires.
Electrical
Appliances
1. Never overload electrical
outlets with electrical appliances. Always unplug the appliances
when they are not in use.
2. Do not run wires under
carpets or mats and keep them away from hot surfaces.
3. Check the condition of wires
regularly. Frayed wires or cracked cords should be replaced or
repaired by licensed electricians.
Housekeeping
1. Keep cooking appliances
including the stove-top, cooker hoods and ovens clean and free of
grease. Never store combustibles near heat sources.
2. After parties or gatherings,
check for smouldering cigarette butts around and under the sofa,
chair cushions and carpets.
3. Ensure that cigarettes and
cigars are fully put out in the ashtrays before they are
discarded.
4. Ensure that all unwanted
furniture and items which are combustible in nature are discarded
properly. Do not discard them at the common areas, such as
lift lobby or staircase lobby, of your residential flats.
Contact your local Town Council or Management Office if you require
assistance for the disposal of unwanted bulky items. If you
notice discarded item/s at the common areas, please alert your
local Town Councils or Management Office.
Decorations and
Lightings
1. Check the decorative
lighting fixtures before use and regularly thereafter. If there are
wear and tear problems, such as blown bulbs and frayed wires,
replace them with new ones immediately, using the service of
licensed electricians for repairs if necessary.
2. Do not leave decorative
lighting fixtures, including the lit Christmas tree, switched-on
when leaving home or when going to bed. Indoor lighting fixtures
should not be used in outdoor area to avoid electric shocks and
short circuits.
3. Use decorative lighting
fixtures which carry the SAFETY Mark. Similar to electrical
appliances and accessories such as fans and adaptors, decorative
lighting fixture is also a Controlled Goods under the Consumer
Protection (Safety Requirements) Registration Scheme, which is
administered by SPRING Singapore.
4.
Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily. Do
not attach them to lights or other heat source, and always keep
them away from candles.
5. Lit candles should be placed
in stable holders on heat-resistant surface, so that they will not
fall over. Lit candles should also be kept away from Christmas
trees, paper or cardboard decorations, foliage, curtains and
furnishings. It is also not advisable to leave candles burning in a
room unattended.
Preventing Children from Starting
Fires
1. Keep matches, lighters and
candles out of children’s reach.
2. Educate children on the
dangers of fires.
3. Children playing with
sparklers must be supervised by parents/adults.
Handling
Sparklers
1. Sparklers should be kept in
a closed box and away from flames.
2. When being used, it should
be lit at arm’s length and only one at a time.
3. Lighted sparklers should
never be thrown at combustible materials.
4. When a sparkler goes out, do
not immediately touch the hot end for it could still burn. Ideally,
put the hot end in a bucket of water to fully cool it down before
disposing it safely.
5. Follow the safety
instructions as stated by the manufacturer. These instructions are
typically found on the box housing the sparklers.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS – COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS
1. Escape passageways should be
free of obstruction and fire exit doors should be kept unlocked at
all times for use during emergencies.
2. It is also important to
observe other fire safety requirements, including the approved
occupancy load for premises (to avoid overcrowding), so as to
enhance fire safety standards in buildings.
3. If you are in any public
premises, ensure that you look out for the nearest exit door or
staircase. Such knowledge will greatly facilitate you when
you need to evacuate during an emergency.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS -
ON-LINE
Also visit the following websites
for fire safety tips:
http://www.nfec.gov.sg