SUPP Public Complain Bureau (SPCB) wishes to alert general public who are living in older houses, particularly older shop houses or wooden houses, to get the wiring of their houses inspected for safety reasons.
This is in view of the recent fire outbreaks in a number of areas throughout the state, which involved several older wooden houses and shop houses, where hundreds of victims lost their houses and valuable belongings to the fire and became homeless overnight.
SPCB Chief Wilfred Yap advices the general public to take precaution measures by hiring certified electricians to inspect the wirings and power outlets at their home.
“As the house gets older and worn out, so are the wires. These wires are normally hidden behind the wall or in the ceiling, so there is no way to find out. Wiring short circuit is one of the major causes of fire in the state.”
By hiring a certified electrician to conduct a thorough inspection, he explained, one can identify whether the wires are faulty or if the circuits are poorly constructed, he added.
“When the wire’s insulation deteriorates, short circuit can occur. What’s even more scary is, we can’t see it until it is too late. Therefore, I implore to the general public to hire a certified electrician to conduct a thorough inspection at your houses at least every five years.”
In ensuring the safety of the occupants, including those we love, Yap said, the above mentioned inspection is very much needed.
