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Festive Season Fire Safety Advisories
03 February 2016

With Chinese New Year around the corner, the SCDF would like to remind everyone to exercise caution to minimise fire hazards and prevent outbreaks of fire during this joyous occasion. When preparing for the festive season, bearing in mind simple fire safety tips can help prevent fires.

 

Residents are advised not to discard items at common areas such as corridors, lift lobbies and void decks. They should arrange with respective Town Councils or Estate Management Office for the removal of unwanted bulky items. Residents should also continue to play their part to prevent rubbish fires. Lighted materials such as cigarette butts must be completely extinguished and burning embers must be doused with water before disposal into rubbish chutes or bins.

 

As the number of patrons and customers is usually higher during the festive season, we would like to remind owners and management of public buildings, eating establishments and places of recreation/entertainment to ensure compliance to fire safety requirements:

 

  1. Escape passageways should be free of obstruction and fire exit doors should be kept accessible for use during emergencies.
  2. Overcrowding in public premises especially in entertainment outlets should be avoidedas itwould impede safe evacuation in the event of fire.
  3. Operators of eating establishments (e.g. restaurants, coffee shops, canteens, hawker centres) must ensure compliance to fire safety requirements.

 

We would like to urge members of the public who spot fire hazards to report them to the SCDF. They can do so by calling our fire hazard reporting line at 1800-280-0000 or email us atSCDF_Fire_Safety_Feedback@scdf.gov.sg. In addition, the public can also submit photos and a brief description of the fire hazards using the "mySCDF" mobile phone application which can be downloaded from the Apple and Android App stores.

 

Some useful fire safety tips for residential premises and commercial premises, including eating establishments are listed inAnnex A.Fire safety is a collective community responsibility and together we can help to reduce fire occurrences in Singapore.

ANNEX A

FIRE SAFETY TIPS " RESIDENTIAL PREMISES

 

Discarded Items

 

Do not leave unwanted furniture and items at common areas such as corridors, lift lobbies, void decks and staircases.

 

Arrange with your Town Council or Management Office if you require assistance for the disposal of unwanted bulky items such as cupboards, sofas, etc.

 

If you notice discarded items at the common areas, please alert your local Town Council or Management Office.

 

Rubbish Chutes/Bins

 

Completely extinguish lighted materials e.g. cigarettes and sparklers before disposal into rubbish chutes/bins.

 

Completely douse charcoal embers with water before disposal into rubbish chutes/bins.

 

Avoid throwing flammable substances like paint, oil or kerosene into rubbish chutes/bins.

 

Cooking

 

Never leave cooking unattended as it can result in fires; turn off the gas supply and cooking appliances whenever they are not in use.

 

Petrol or kerosene should not be used to start a BBQ fire " they can flare up unexpectedly; use fire-starters instead.

 

Charcoal should be completely doused with water when cooking is done.

 

Keep cooking appliances including the stove-top, cooker hoods and ovens clean and free of grease.

 

Keep flammable liquids (e.g. cooking oil and alcohol) and combustible materials away from heat sources such as the stove.

 

Keep LPG cylinders in a well-ventilated area.

 

Electrical Appliances

 

Never overload electrical outlets with electrical appliances.

 

Always switch off appliances when they are not in use.

 

Check the condition of wires regularly. Frayed wires or cracked cords should be replaced or repaired by licensed electricians.

 

Do not run wires under carpets or mats and keep them away from hot surfaces.

 

Use electrical plugs which carry the SAFETY Mark

 

Housekeeping

 

Keep matches, lighters and candles out of children"s reach.

 

Store flammable substances in a safe place.

 

Do not place window curtains or any combustible materials near praying altars, stoves or lighted materials.

 

After parties or gatherings, check for smouldering cigarette butts around and under the sofa, chair cushions and carpets.

 

Lit candles should also be kept away from paper, curtains and furnishings. They should be placed in stable holders on heat-resistant surface. It is also not advisable to leave candles burning in a room unattended.

 

Decorations and Lightings

 

Check the decorative lighting fixtures for damage and defects before use and regularly thereafter for wear and tear. If blown bulbs and frayed wires are detected, replace them immediately with new ones.

 

Do not leave decorative lighting fixtures switched-on when leaving home or when going to bed. Lighting fixtures rated for indoor use should not be used in outdoor areas.

 

Use decorative lighting fixtures which carry the SAFETY Mark.

 

Decorations made of light tissue paper or cardboard burn easily. Do not attach them to lights or other heat sources, and always keep them away from naked flames, such as lit candles.

 

Handling Sparklers

 

Sparklers should be kept in a closed box and away from flames.

 

When being used, it should be lit at arm"s length and only one at a time. Children playing with sparklers must be supervised by parents/adults.

 

Lighted sparklers should never be thrown at combustible materials.

 

When a sparkler goes out, do not immediately touch the hot end for it could still burn; put the hot end in a bucket of water to fully cool it down before disposing it safely.

 

Follow the safety instructions as stated by the manufacturer. These instructions are typically found on the box housing the sparkler.

 

 

FIRE SAFETY TIPS " COMMERCIAL PREMISES

Escape passageways should be free of obstruction and fire exit doors should be kept unlocked at all times for use during emergencies.

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.

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 " EATING ESTABLISHMENTS

 

Turn off cooking appliances when not in use or whenever you need to attend to other matters, even for a short while.

 

Do not place combustible materials near heat sources.

 

Do not make unauthorized connections of gas and electrical extensions and points.

 

Avoid wearing clothes with long loose sleeves when working near heat sources.

 

Clean cooker hoods and ventilators regularly.

 

Do not store LPG cylinders in poorly ventilated places.

 

Do not overload electrical outlets or use faulty appliances, frayed wires and insulators.

 

Do not obstruct or damage fire extinguishers and fire hose reels.

 

Use only appliances that come with electrical plugs bearing the SAFETY mark.

 

Equip each stall with a PSB-approved Dry Chemical Power fire extinguisher[1]and ensure regular maintenance of the fire extinguishers and fire hose reels.

 

FIRE SAFETY TIPS - ONLINE

 

Visithttp://www.nfec.org.sgfor more fire safety tips


[1]The list of authorised fire extinguisher dealers and servicing workshops are listed on the SCDF website under Building Professionals, Fire Safety Permit and Certification, Servicing Portable Fire Extinguishers  here.