XN000022-1974-01-16 — Page 11

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Wednesday, January 16, 1974

FIRE RISK HIGH PUBLIC URGED TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION

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The Fire Services are responding to five times as many fire calls

during the current dry weather conditions as compared with the humid months.

A spokesman for the Fire Services revealed this today as he

urged the public to do everything possible to prevent fires.

He noted that in the summer months, when the level of humidity was above 80 per cent, the department attended an average of 240 calls

per month. This figure trebled to 720 when the humidity fell to 65 per

cent, and rose sharply to 1 200 calls when the humidity dropped to 58

per cent.

"The public must be made fully aware of the greatly increased

risks to life and property during the current dry spell," the spokesman

said.

"Not only do fires start more easily, they also spread with much

greater spoed. A fire in the home will race through the area in seconds,

cutting off avenues of escape and causing much greater damage than during

normal period."

He attributed many fires to carelessness, citing the disposal of

lighted cigarettes ends and matches as an example. "Ensure that cigarette

butts or matches are properly extinguished beofre throwing them away. In

this way you will be doing your bit to reduce Hong Kong's terrible fire

toll," he said.