Plan needs clear guideline, says Johor executive councillor
JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government is urging for a clear guideline to be drawn up before the “fire extinguisher in every home” policy is enforced nationwide.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Md Jais Sarday said a proper guideline on the usage of firefighting equipment was needed to ensure houseowners understood the role a fire extinguisher played in a home safety plan.
He said while the state government welcomed such a policy, the Fire and Rescue Department should be at the forefront of the matter.
This, Md Jais said, included conducting a feasibility study to identify the fire extinguisher model suitable for home use.
“We must ensure the fire extinguisher is safe to use, and that there is a clear guideline on its storage and usage. This is because in the wrong hands, the firefighting equipment can be used for the wrong reasons.
“For example, thieves can use the fire extinguisher to break a door or as a weapon to hurt their victims.
“The Fire and Rescue Department must ensure that the extinguisher is not misused,” he said, adding that issues on proper training and awareness about fire safety needed to be ironed out.
Md Jais was commenting on the NST report on Thursday on the department’s plan to introduce a legal provision to equip every home in the country with a fire extinguisher.