XN000022-1975-02-06 — Page 8

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1975

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LUNAR NEW YEAR FIRE WARNING

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MANAGEMENTS OF PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANTS AND STORES WERE TODAY REMINDED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRE DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR.

THE HEAD OF THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU, MR. MAURICE LANE SAID THE RISK OF FIRE DURING THE HOLIDAY WOULD INCREASE DUE TO CROWDING IN PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT,

+BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT, HE SAID, +PEOPLE TEND TO BECOME FORGETFUL ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION. CONSEQUENTLY, MANAGEMENTS SHOULD BE WELL PREPARED.+

HE DREW ATTENTION TO A CIRCULAR SENT OUT IN DECEMBER WHICH EMPHASISED THE DANGERS OF FIRE IN PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANTS AND STORES DURING HOLIDAY PERIODS, AND MEASURES WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN TO MINIMISE RISKS.

THESE INCLUDED: APPOINTING A SENIOR STAFF MEMBER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE PREVENTION ENSURING THAT THE +FIRE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS+ LAID DOWN ORIGINALLY BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARE BEING MAINTAINED AND COMPLIED WITH REMINDING STAFF TO BE SPECIALLY ALERT FOR ANY SIGN OF FIRE, OR THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE- ENSURING THAT ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THOSE TAKEN ON TEMPORARILY, KNOW THE LOCATION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND HOW TO OPERATE IT= MAKING SURE EXIT SIGNS ARE NOT HIDDEN AND THAT EXIT ROUTES ARE CLEAR AT ALL TIMES AND PROMINENTLY DISPLAYING FULL HOUSE+ SIGNS TO PREVENT OVERCROWDING.

THE CIRCULAR ALSO STRESSES THAT ANY ADDITIONAL WIRING FOR DECORATIONS MUST BE DONE BY COMPETENT ELECTRICIANS, AND FLIMSY DECORATIONS MUST BE KEPT WELL AWAY FROM LIGHT BULBS.

IT ALSO ADVISES MANAGEMENTS TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH SURVEY OF PREMISES TO ELIMINATE ALL POSSIBLE FIRE RISKS.

MR. LANE APPEALED FOR CO-OPERATION FROM MANAGEMENTS IN TAKING APPROPRIATE PREVENTIVE MEASURES WHICH HE SAID WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE FIRE RISK DURING THE THREE-DAY HOLIDAY PERIOD.

PRECAUTIONS SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN AT HOME, HE STRESSED, SUCH AS KEEPING MATCHES, CANDLES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN, PLACING PORTABLE HEATERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY CANNOT BE KNOCKED OVER OR SET CURTAINS OR BEDDING ON FIRE, NOT LEAVING HEATERS OR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ON WHEN GOING OUT AND USING ASH TRAYS TO DISPOSE OF CIGARETTE ENDS.

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