Prevention is the best defence when it comes to avoiding accidents or fires.

Let’s review some safety precautions you should observe both at home and in common spaces.

In your home

• Don’t overload electrical points
• Don’t use faulty electrical appliances, wiring or insulators
• Use electrical and plugs that bear the SAFETY mark
• Never charge batteries or devices such as power banks or personal mobility devices overnight or leave them to charge unattended
• Never leave cooking unattended
• Don’t keep more than 1 LPG cylinder as spare
• Keep fire starter materials such as matches away from children
• Keep flammable materials (e.g. clothes, curtains) away from an open flame
• Don’t smoke in bed

In common areas

• Keep corridors, staircases and staircase landings free of clutter
• Don’t place anything near the fire hoses as that may hamper fire rescue efforts
• Always extinguish matches and cigarette butts completely before disposal

What to do in case of fire

• Stay calm and do not panic
• Alert others of the fire by shouting
• Dial 995 for the SCDF
• Turn off the gas mains if you can reach them
• Activate the nearest fire alarm
• Fight the fire only if you are able to do so without endangering yourself or others.
• According to the SCDF, extinguish fires by:
  • Using water on burning papers, wood, and fabrics but never on flammable liquids such as oil as this will cause the fire to spread
  • Using a suitable fire extinguisher
  • Using a hose reel

• If possible, close the door of the affected area to contain the fire
• Evacuate everyone from the room or area without endangering yourself
• Evacuate the building in a safe and orderly manner via the stairs; do not use the lift
• Do not return to the building until the authorities say you can do so

Fire safety equipment to have at home

All new public and private homes built since June 2018 are required to have home fire alarm devices.

Although they are not mandatory for existing homes, SCDF recommends every household to install these smoke or heat detectors as they provide early warning of a fire by sounding an alarm.

Check here for SCDF’s guide on such devices.

A dry powder fire extinguisher is also good to have at home, says the SCDF, even if it is not required by law.

Download a copy of the latest Civil Defence Emergency Handbook to get the most updated tips on how to deal with all kinds of emergencies, from fires to natural disasters.