A damaged part of the prayer room at a restaurant in Lahad Datu.
KOTA KINABALU: Homeowners are strongly encouraged to install at least one fire extinguisher in their homes as a precautionary measure for fire emergencies.
Sabah Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Farhan Sufyan Borhan emphasised the importance of having fire extinguishers readily available, as accidents can occur at any time and in any place.
"It is mandatory for businesses to have fire extinguishers according to the size of premises, whereas housing projects from year 2021 onwards are also required to install fire extinguishers," he said when contacted.
The key challenge, Farhan said, is to make people recognise the importance of having fire extinguishers both at home and in vehicles.
This can help delay or even prevent the spread of a fire during emergencies, he explained.
Farhan noted that the department conducts regular programmes to promote fire safety awareness and the benefits of having fire extinguishers.
"There are still many who are not keen on getting fire extinguishers for their homes, not due to doubts about their effectiveness but because they are not willing to fork out the money," he said.
He outlined the different types of fire extinguishers available: dry powder extinguishers for general use in homes, foam extinguishers for electrical fires, and carbon dioxide extinguishers.
The cost of a 9kg dry powder extinguisher ranges from RM120 to RM150, while vehicle extinguishers come in smaller 500g or larger 2kg sizes, priced between RM160 and RM200, said Farhan.
He also shared a recent example of a bigger disaster being averted during a morning fire at a restaurant in Lahad Datu, when the staff used fire extinguishers to put out a blaze which started in the prayer room.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident on Thursday (Aug 8).
