SINGAPORE - The Singapore Civil Defence Force has stepped up its fire-safety checks at malls and entertainment outlets during the festive season.

As part of its yearly enforcement checks, officers from the SCDF's Central Enforcement Department inspected areas in Bugis, Sengkang and Chinatown on the night of Dec 12, 2014.

In a statement released today, the SCDF said some of the violations found were non-functioning exit lights, obstructions at common passageways and exit doors, and staircases doubling up as storage areas. Such violations could impede safe evacuation during an emergency, the SCDF added in its statement.

The SCDF also said its stepped-up checks will continue through the festive season.