It is sad to know that two lives were lost in the recent Hougang fire before the town council started enforcing the rules.

This article was in my mind when I walked by the cluttered passageways of Toa Payoh Central shophouses. It will be good if there was a standard safety policy, coupled with effective enforcement and compliance in all estates.

In addition to enforcement and education, all shops should be encouraged to have at least two fire extinguishers so that shopkeepers can protect themselves as well as their customers and goods in the event of a fire.

One of the extinguishers should be a water extinguisher to put out fires caused by ordinary combustible materials The other should be a dry chemical extinguisher used to put out fires involving electrical equipment or combustible materials.

If shops have these extinguishers and the staff are trained to use them, precious lives and property can be saved if there is a fire.

Edmund Lim Wee Kiat