XN000022-1982-01-19 — Page 18

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LUNODAI, JANUARY 19, 1982

LUNAR NEW YEAR FIRE SAFETY ADVICE

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THE PUBLIC WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) ADVISED TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE AGAINST FIRE RISKS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP SAID, +ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND COOKING STOVES WHICH WILL BE INTENSIVELY USED DURING THE FESTIVAL.

+JOSS STICKS, CANDLES AND WORSHIPPING ITEMS MUST BE HANDLED CAREFULLY, FOR A MERE SPARK CAN START A FIRE RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY, HE ADDED.

IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE POTENTIAL FIRE DANGERS, HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING THE FOLLOWING BASIC SAFETY RULES:

* BEFORE LEAVING HOME, MAKE SURE ALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

ARE TURNED OFF.

* COOKING FACILITIES IN USE MUST BE ATTENDED TO.

*

*

ENSURE THAT HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ARE IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION AND AVOID OVERLOADING THE POWER POINTS.

NEVER STORE MORE THAN ONE CONTAINER OF FUEL AT ONE TIME AND KEEP IT WELL AWAY FROM ANY SOURCE OF HEAT.

* DO NOT FILL A KEROSENE STOVE OR HEATER WHEN IT IS ALIGHT. * KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF CHILDREN'S REACH.

* KEEP THE CORRIDORS AND STAIRCASES FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION.

*

*

BURN WORSHIPPING ITEMS IN METAL CONTAINERS AND KEEP THEM AWAY FROM ANY INFLAMMABLE MATERIAL.

PROVIDE VISITORS WITH ENOUGH ASHTRAYS AND BEFORE YOU EMPTY AN ASHTRAY, MAKE SURE ALL CIGARETTE BUTTS ARE EXTINGUISHED.

+DURING THE FESTIVAL, ATTENTION SHOULD ALSO BE PAID TO PREVENTING COUNTRYSIDE FIRES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

HE URGED PICNICKERS TO BRING ALONG PRE-COOKED FOOD WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND TO BARBECUE ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT ALL FIRES ARE PROPERLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING.

THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT A FIRE BAN IN THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AND THE TAI PO KAU NATURE RESERVE AREA INTRODUCED LAST MONTH IS STILL IN FORCE.

HE WARNED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR CAUSING A FIRE IN A COUNTRY PARK OR ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE ARE $5 000 AND $2 000 RESPECTIVELY.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED FARMERS WHO BURN OFF AGRICULTURAL WASTE AROUND THIS TIME OF THE YEAR NOT TO LIGHT A FIRE NEAR BUILDINGS AND WHEN THE HUMIDITY IS LOW AND WIND IS STRONG.

+IN CASE OF NEED, THEY ARE WELCOME TO APPROACH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE, HE SAID.

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