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 the attached 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 public premises especially in entertainment outlets, such as discotheques and pubs, should be avoided as it would impede safe evacuation in the event of fire.

SCDF will be stepping up its enforcement checks. SCDF takes a serious view against offenders flouting fire safety requirements. Under the Fire Safety Act, violators may be subjected to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both. Major offences like commencement of fire safety works without plan approval carries a fine of up to $200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 24 months, or both.

We would like to urge members of the public who spot fire hazards to report them to 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 to these reporting channels, the mySCDF application for smartphones is available for download on Apple and Android App stores. Members of the public who encounter fire hazards can submit photos and a brief description of the hazards to the SCDF via the mySCDF application.

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.

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 greases. 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 extinguished before disposal into the rubbish chutes / bins.

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

1. Visit the following websites for fire safety tips:

a.http://www.nfec.gov.sg

b.http://www.scdf.gov.sg