Members of the public are reminded to give priority to fire safety and prevention before and during the festive season to avoid house fires. The reminder was made by Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Awang Yahya bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the Director of Fire and Rescue during a Media Conference on Fire Safety prior to Hari Raya Aidil Fitri this morning. The safety aspects stressed are:

- Ensure the residence is equipped with fire prevention equipment such as Fire Extinguishers, Fire Blanket and Smoke Detectors.

- Have an emergency action plan in case an emergency and for fire fighting.

- Ensure the use of electrical equipment is always under control and conforms to the correct standard and installed by skilled electricians recognised by the Department Electrical Services

- Switch off electrical appliances when not in use

- Do not leave cooking unattended for too long

- Ensure the gas regulator and LPG hose conform to the correct standard approved by          

  Brunei Shell Marketing; and

- Ensure the whereabouts of children

(Retired) Lieutenant Colonel Awang Yahya bin Haji Abdul Rahman, the Director of Fire and Rescue Department awareness and the presence of such equipment can help to reduce fires, damages, injuries and fatalities related to fires. The Director added responsible individuals should not neglect the safety aspects, especially in efforts to prevent casualties in fire incidents.

Statistics on emergency calls received by the Fire and Rescue Department last year, recorded 130 house and building fire calls with one fatality. The damages caused totalled more than seven million, six hundred fifty three thousand (7,653,000) dollars. Meanwhile, for the first six months of this year, 51 house and building fire calls were received. Damages were estimated at seven million, one hundred forty nine thousand (7,149,000) dollars, as well as one fatality. Among the causes of fires were left cooking, improper use of electrical appliances, overloading, faulty wiring and children playing with fire.

In providing information and instilling awareness among the community on fire safety measures and how to reduce and prevent the occurrences of fires, the Fire and Rescue Department also organised several programmes including information gathering and research intended to increase society's preparedness. Apart from that roadshows on fire safety and prevention as well as trainings are also meant to improve the Fire Volunteers Team.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by Brudirect.com

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