SIBU: Sibu Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 chief Andy Alie has issued a reminder to the public to prioritise safety during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
He said the public need to be vigilant wherever they are, whether at home, on the road, or in public places.
In the first quarter of the year in Zone 4, the department received 87 emergency calls compared to 112 in the same period last year, and 122 calls in 2022, showing a decreasing trend.
Despite the positive data, the public must continue to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent unwanted incidents.
“Based on previous year statistics, during the festivities, there is indeed an increase in emergency calls received by the department,” he said today (April 5).
Andy assured that the department is always ready to assist the public during emergencies.
“Only 20 per cent of personnel from each station are allowed to go on holiday. Apart from standby duty, we also carry out fire safety programmes and traffic patrols due to the high number of road users leading up to Aidilfitri.”
He advised the public embarking on holiday trips or returning to their hometowns to drive safely.
“Please plan your journey, ensure your vehicle is in good condition before starting, stop if you feel sleepy, and most importantly, be patient and obey traffic rules.”
He also urged the public to ensure that the installation of decorative lights and oil lamps to celebrate Aidilfitri is done carefully to avoid fires.
“People should also ensure not to overload circuits. I also remind holidaymakers to relax responsibly with their families at waterfalls, beaches, riverbanks or waterfalls while remaining mindful of safety measures.
“I suggest that homeowners or premises check to ensure that switches and electrical equipment such as electronic gadgets and gas stoves are always turned off when leaving home.”
