27 cases of falling windows recorded so far this year: Khaw

There were 27 cases of fallen windows in the first five months of this year, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in a blog post on Thursday.

The figures which come from the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) records reflect a general decline in such incidents compared to a decade ago.

In 2003, for instance, 106 windows fell. Most were dislodged because aluminium rivets securing the panels to the frames had corroded. The Government then made it compulsory for homeowners to change the aluminium rivets to stainless steel ones.

This helped reduce the number of such incidents. For instance, 67 and 40 cases were reported respectively in the first 11 months of 2012 and 2013.

In his blog post, Mr Khaw wrote that while there were no injuries this year, it may not be so the next time a window falls. He reminded homeowners to check their windows twice a year as they fall due to wear and tear and lack of proper maintenance. "To make it easier to remember, we mark window safety days on (June 6 and Dec 12)", he wrote.

"Checking and cleaning the windows is fast and easy. You can do it with three simple steps. It will take less than five minutes... It may just save a life," he added, encouraging homeowners to visit BCA's or the Housing Board's websites to learn more about window safety and window maintenance tips.

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