PETALING JAYA: Empowering communities to adopt better fire safety habits is no longer optional but crucial, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said fostering responsible behaviour, encouraging proactive habits and instilling a safety culture at home can help prevent tragedies before they occur.
“Fire safety is not solely the Fire and Rescue Department’s responsibility. It belongs to all of us,” he said in a statement on Friday (March 6).
Lee said the paradigm shift towards Total Fire Safety demands commitment from every stakeholder, from families to neighbourhoods, to strengthen the nation as a whole.
Apart from the Fire and Rescue Department, he said other key parties responsible for ensuring safety include authorities, designers, builders, inspectors and occupiers.
“Each component must diligently perform its duty. A failure at any level can lead to devastating consequences,” he said.
Lee also suggested several steps that can be taken to improve fire safety at home.
These include conducting a quick sweep of the house at night to switch off electrical appliances, checking gas stoves and inspecting plugs and wiring.
“We invest in household equipment and appliances, yet many neglect something as essential as a fire extinguisher. Every home should have at least one,” he said.
Lee added that all exit pathways should be kept clear to ensure a smooth escape during emergencies.
“Avoid excessive clutter and conduct periodic inspections of electrical and mechanical appliances. Replace faulty wiring immediately,” he said.
Earlier Friday, The Star reported that a total of 94 deaths from residential fires were recorded between 2022 and February this year.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department, 32 people died in residential fires last year, marking a 100% increase compared with 16 deaths in 2024.
Between January and February this year, 21 deaths were reported from home fires.
