The recent spate of fires in Singapore has been concerning to say the least. Whether it’s the Bedok North fire that killed three people, or the fire at a Jalan Bukit Merah flat that saw 35 people evacuated, one thing’s for sure – home fires are dangerous, and potentially deadly.

Even in the best case scenario, it can be emotionally, and not to mention financially debilitating to see your home and beloved possessions being razed to ashes. When it comes to fires, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Read on to find out what you should do if your house is on fire, and the best ways to prevent and prepare for potential fires in Singapore. 

What to do if your house is on fire  

It can be terrifying to be caught in a home fire, but even more so when you don’t know what to do. Should you run? Or should you try putting out a fire by yourself?

Here’s what to do if there is a fire. 

The rule of thumb is to extinguish a fire if it is small and you are confident of doing so. Generally, it is also safe for you to remain in your home with your doors and windows closed if you are at least two floors above the unit that is on fire.

If in doubt, always evacuate the premises. 

How to prevent a fire at home

Your best odds against a fire is to prevent one altogether.

Here’s the top three causes of fires in Singapore in 2021 according to the SCDF, and what you can do to eliminate it. 

1. Fires of electrical origin

Accounting for 31.9% of residential fires in Singapore last year, electrical fires happen when faulty wirings or electrical appliances ignite nearby combustible materials, causing a fire.

To eliminate this risk, avoid overloading your power sockets and use appliances and plugs that have the SAFETY Mark. Avoid running your wires under carpets and rugs, or on hot surfaces, and switch off your electrical appliances when you’re not using them. an do to eliminate it. 

2. Unattended cooking

Unattended cooking caused 22.1% of fires in 2021.

Avoid overheating your food by leaving it on the stove unattended. It’s also good practice to keep your appliances grease-free, and your oils and alcohol away from heat sources. 

3. Lit cigarette butts, joss sticks and embers

These are known as dropped light fires, which formed 18.9% of fire cases in Singapore last year and occur when lit cigarette butts, incense sticks and embers from burning charcoal are not extinguished properly.

Make sure they are fully extinguished before you throw them away.

How to be prepared for a house fire in Singapore   

You don’t want to be caught out if a fire breaks out in your home.

Here’s what you can do to build your own anti-fire kit for greater peace of mind. 

1. Get a fire extinguisher

Did you know that water doesn’t help with electrical or oil fires, the top two types of fires in Singapore?

Instead, the SCDF recommends that every household has at least one dry chemical powder fire extinguisher. This is the only type of fire extinguisher that is effective against fires involving combustible materials, electrical fires and oil fires.

You can buy a portable fire extinguisher online – just make sure it has the relevant serial labels issued by an SCDF-recognised Certification Body – or from these companies in Singapore. 

2. Get covered with HDB Fire Insurance and Home Insurance from a private insurer

If you live in a HDB flat, it’s likely that you already have HDB Fire Insurance, which is compulsory if you are taking out a HDB loan. It also has to be renewed every five years with HDB’s appointed insurer, and you’ll receive a reminder letter from HDB before the end of the five-year period.

But most times, HDB Fire Insurance is insufficient as it only covers building structures, fixtures, and other common areas built by HDB. It does not cover your renovation costs or home contents.

You should consider getting home insurance to be more adequately protected.

For instance, Singtel Home Protect not only covers your renovation and damages to your furniture or personal belongings, but also injuries to your loved ones due to accidents at home that result in death or total permanent disability.

It also has a unique bill protection feature that covers disruptions to your Singtel service due to an insured peril.

Besides fires, Singtel Home Protect also offers Home Assistance services that cover you against other inconveniences such as burst water pipes, electrical power failure, faulty air conditioning, damaged locks and even break-ins to your home! For instance, if your water pipes burst, you can get it fixed and reimbursed for up to twice a year. 

Prevention is the best protection  

The best way to safeguard yourself against a fire in Singapore is to protect yourself in advance, by practising good fire safety habits and making sure that you have sufficient insurance coverage for your home.

Fires in Singapore can be deadly, but they can be avoided as well. Get extra peace of mind today with Singtel Home Protect, which offers comprehensive protection against problems big and small. 

T&Cs apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. Singtel Home Protect is underwritten by Great Eastern General Insurance Limited.

Check out singtel.com/homeprotect for our latest promotions.