By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 10: As the Hari Raya Aidilfitri draws nearer, the celebrants are urged to observe fire precaution especially when making Raya biscuits and cakes or letting the children play fireworks.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah noted that by now, many celebrants especially the women would start to be busy working in the kitchen to make Raya biscuits and cakes which could take up to eight hours.
“When we steam cakes, we have to keep on checking the water level of the steamer every now and then. The process would take long hours and we could get sleepy during the wait.
“That is why I’d like to remind the celebrants especially the women to be on alert for the 3L syndrome of ‘Lupa, Leka dan Lalai’ which refers to forgetfulness, carelessness and negligent attitudes during such time that could lead to fire incidents,” she said when officiating at the Fire Safety Campaign in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri held at State Bomba Headquarters in Jalan Setia Raja here today.
She also said during the Hari Raya celebration, the children are usually seen playing with ‘bunga api’ (fireworks).
“Therefore, the parents must monitor these children and not leave them unattended because those fireworks could also lead to big fires and unwanted incidents.
“Considering that many households do not own a fire extinguisher, fire prevention must be observed and practised at all times in order for us to celebrate Hari Raya in a safe manner especially during this Covid-19 pandemic,” she added.
Last year, Sarawak recorded a total of 118 fire cases involving 1,934 victims from 357 families whereby the State Social Welfare Department (JKMS) had channelled assistance amounting to RM2.36 million to the victims.
As of March this year, Sarawak has recorded 21 fire cases involving 395 victims from 89 families with JKM rendering assistance totalling to RM475,220.
The same event also witnessed Fatimah presenting fire extinguishers to four villages around Kuching Zone namely Kampung Batu Kitang Jaya, Kampung Haji Baki, Kampung Pulo Ulu and Kampung Bako.
Also present were State Bomba director Khirudin Drahman and deputy director Tiong Ling Hii. — DayakDaily
