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SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 1987
RATS CONTROL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
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A TERRITORY-WIDE RODENT CONTROL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, ORGANISED BY THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, IS NOW UNDERWAY.
LAUNCHED AT THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN THE PUBLIC NORMALLY CLEAN UP THEIR PREMISES IN TIME FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED TO REMIND THEM OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION OF RATS.
DURING THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN, POSTERS, LEAFLETS, AND ADVISORY LETTERS ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENTS, HOUSEHOLDS, SCHOOLS, RESTAURANTS AND FOOD BUSINESS OPERATORS, SENIOR HEALTH INSPECTOR, WONG LUP-GAY, OF THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT SAID TODAY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT RATS TENDED TO THRIVE ON ALL AVAILABLE FOOD AND SHELTER.
*THE BEST WAY TO STOP RATS FROM MULTIPLYING IS BY ELIMINATING THE IR FEEDING SOURCES AND TO BLOCK OFF THEIR HIDING PLACES, + HE SAID.
SINCE A BUILDING THAT IS CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED WOULD KEEP RATS AWAY, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED BUILDING MANAGEMENTS TO ORGANISE REGULAR CLEARANCE OF JUNK AND UNUSED ARTICLES FROM PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS BACKYARDS, STAIR LANDINGS AND ROOF SPACE.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR RATS:
* STORE FOOD IN COVERED CONTAINERS AS FOOD CONTAMINATED BY
RATS IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH.
* DISPOSE OF SCRAPS AND REFUSE REGULARLY AT THE END OF THE
DAY BECAUSE RATS USUALLY COME OUT TO FEED AT NIGHT.
* KEEP BUILDING IN GOOD REPAIR. FILL UP CRACKED PAVINGS AND HOLES IN WALLS, AVOID EXCESSIVE THRESHOLD CLEARANCE UNDER DOORS, AND REPAIR OTHER STRUCTURAL DEFECTS IN BUILDINGS.
+SHOULD THE PUBLIC NEED ANY ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE ON RODENT CONTROL, THEY CAN CONTACT THE STAFF OF THE PEST CONTROL UNIT AT VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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