During this festive period, SCDF would like to urge all members of public to continue to be vigilant against fire occurrences. Whether holding family gatherings or heading overseas for a year-end holiday, every extra care taken will go a long way to prevent fire injuries and damage to properties. Some simple fire safety measures to take are listed below.

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TIPS DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON
FIRE SAFETY TIPS - HOMES

Cooking

1. Never leave cooking unattended as it can result in kitchen fires. Do not be distracted when cooking. 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. Charcoal should be doused with water when cooking is done. Smoldering 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 " run them behind furniture instead. Keep wires away from hot surfaces.

3. Check the condition of wires regularly. Frayed 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 smoldering cigarette butts around and under the sofa, chair cushions and carpets.

3. Ensure that cigarettes and cigars are fully put out in ashtrays before they are discarded.

Decorations and Lightings

1. Check decorative lighting fixtures before use and regularly afterwards. 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 only be used indoors to avoid electric shocks and short circuits.

3. Use decorative lighting fixtures which carry the SPRING-"SAFETY" mark. Like other electrical appliances and accessories such as fans and adaptors, decorative lighting fixture is also a controlled item under the Singapore Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Registration Scheme, which is administered by SPRING Singapore.

4. 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 and curtains. 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 and hazards 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 arms 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.

5. Follow the safety instructions as stated by the manufacturer.

Fire Safety Equipment

1. Installing smoke detectors can give early warning to occupants, allowing them more time to escape.

2. Fire-extinguishers can come in handy in a minor fire outbreak. Operating an extinguisher is easy:

a. Pull out the safety device
b. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
c. Press the top lever of the extinguisher to put out the fire

3. The list of companies selling fire extinguishers and smoke detectors can be found on the National Fire Prevention Council (NFPC) website (http://www.nfpc.gov.sg).

FIRE SAFETY TIPS " PUBLIC PREMISES

1. Owners, managements, operators and occupants of shops, supermarkets, shopping centres, public entertainment premises etc should ensure that exit and directional signs, exit routes, including exit doors, exit staircases and exit corridors, are clear and accessible at all times.

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.

ON-LINE FIRE SAFETY TIPS

1. The following websites provide many other fire safety tips:
a. http://www.nfpc.gov.sg

Owners and management of public buildings and places of recreation/entertainment including hotels and shopping centres are reminded to ensure compliance to all fire safety requirements. This will help keep such premises safe even as they experience an upsurge in people visiting such outlets. Escape passageways should be free of obstruction and fire exit doors should be kept unlocked for use during emergencies. Overcrowding in building premises especially public entertainment outlets such as discotheques and pubs should be avoided so as to prevent a stampede situation if evacuation is required.

SCDF enforcement teams will be stepping up inspection checks at public premises to detect fire safety violations. Anyone detecting fire hazards may call SCDF"s hotline 1800-734-4308. SCDF takes a serious view against those 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 to both.

SCDF wishes everyone a joyous festive season and a happy new year.