Bomba to hold summer camps on fire prevention statewide

MIRI: The Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) will be holding many fire safety talks and summer camps throughout the state this year to enhance fire prevention awareness.

Its state director Nor Hisham Mohammad said his office planned to hold summer camps in more than 70 longhouses statewide.

“The summer camp programme was first initiated last year and it received a very positive response, with 112 longhouses participating.”

He hoped the summer camp initiative would continue to be a success as there were plans to continue it for the next three years.

The summer camp model, which includes appointing two people from each longhouse as ‘ fire marshals’, involves participants attending a three- day-two-nights course at fire stations.

Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said old, unsafe wiring systems and playing with matches were the main reasons that caused longhouse fires.

“When the wiring system is more than 20 years old, there is a need to change it if you can afford rewiring.

“If you can’t afford the cost, make sure to control your electricity consumption so that it does not cause electrical circuit overloads. Don’t use too many appliances at once.”

He advised parents to ensure children do not play with matches and lighters. In fact, these items should be stored in places beyond the reach of children.

Nor Hisham also stressed the importance of having fire extinguishers, citing a recent fire in Sarikei where residents managed to extinguish the fire before it spread.

“Getting a fire extinguisher only costs you about RM100, but it can save your property, which is worth far more than RM100,” he said as a matter- of-factly.