PETALING JAYA: Faulty wiring, overloaded extension plugs and missing smoke detectors are turning everyday homes into life-threatening hazards, experts warn.
Universiti Malaya’s Prof Dr Victor Hoe said electrical safety is often overlooked.
“Many households connect too many appliances to a single extension plug. Electric kettles, induction cookers and hair dryers often use more than 1,000 watts of electricity and should ideally be plugged directly into wall sockets rather than shared extension cords,” said Prof Hoe, an occupational health and public health medicine specialist.
He said many homes also lack smoke detectors, which can provide critical early warnings.
“Smoke inhalation can be extremely dangerous, causing people to lose consciousness before they even realise there is a fire. Continuous exposure to carbon monoxide is a leading cause of death during fires ,” he said.
“Symptoms can progress to poor coordination, heart stress, loss of consciousness and eventually death due to lack of oxygen.”
Prof Hoe stressed that having a simple, well-understood evacuation plan can save lives.
“Identify at least two possible exits from each room, ensure escape routes are not blocked, and choose a safe meeting point outside the house.
“Planning ahead is especially important in homes with elderly individuals, people with disabilities or young children who may need assistance during emergencies,” he added.
Malaysian Federation for Occupational Safety and Health chairman Dr Abu Hasan Samad said home renovations should place as much emphasis on safety as on aesthetics.
“Some homes may have multiple electrical outlets without considering the house’s capacity.
“If additional extensions are added, it creates an extra burden and increases the risk of overloads,” said Dr Abu Hasan, who is also president of the Academy of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Malaysia.
He added that fire safety awareness remains low among the public compared to workplaces.
“Most households may not know what to do when a fire happens. Fires spread very fast, and by the time residents realise what is going on, it may already be too late,” he said.
Tragic incidents underline the danger. On Feb 26, five members of a family died in a house fire in Kg Pamah Kulat, Pahang.
Earlier this week, a four-year-old boy was killed when his unit at the Kg Muhibbah People’s Housing Project caught fire.
In March last year, a man died after a fire engulfed his house in Kg Kuala Semantan, Raub, Pahang, just after midnight.
In September, a nonagenarian and his 64-year-old son were found dead in the charred remains of their single-storey terrace house in Kg Sri Indah A, Sungai Buloh.
