By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Jan 28: Sarawak Fire and Rescue department (Bomba) is urging people to take extra care when celebrating Chinese New Year next week, especially when handling candles, lanterns and fireworks.
These are all traditional ways of celebrating Chinese New Year but they can also be the cause of unwanted fire and misfortune.
In making the call, Bomba Sarawak director Datuk Khirudin Drahman said they don’t want to dampen the New Year spirit but would like to remind the people to take precaution.
“We do not want any untoward incidents or misfortune. This is a happy festival where everyone celebrate with love and joy, so let’s keep it that way.
“Never leave candles or lanterns unattended and do not place them too close to flammable items and materials.
“Other major causes of fires are leaving the kitchen stove unattended or falling asleep while preparing food, excessive electrical energy consumption for connecting too many devices on one socket, and forgetting to switch off electrical appliances before returning to hometowns,” Khirudin said at the department’s Chinese New Year fire safety campaign that was launched by Deputy Chief Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
While fire fighting is Bomba’s core task, Khirudin said they cannot do it alone.
Instead, he calls for every community to work together and be disciplined in preventing any unwanted fires from happening.
Meanwhile, firefighters will conduct fire safety patrols at hot spots and risky areas during the festive season.
“It is also during the festive season that premises such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, supermarkets and public places will renovate, decorate and organise sales activities to attract visitors.
“This type of situation will cause fire hazards so we asked that premise owners take extra precaution,” Khirudin added.
Among those who attended the campaign were Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, Bomba Sarawak deputy director Tiong Ling Hii, assistant director of fire safety Mohamad Fauzi Mohamat Kifli, Kapitan Datuk Hii Ting Sing and Kapitan Ho Mung Gek. — DayakDaily
