Rising Fires Involving Active Mobility Devices in Singapore: A Cause for Concern
SINGAPORE – Fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) have surged in 2024, with many incidents occurring in homes. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) annual report released on February 13, there were 67 fires involving AMDs in 2024, a 21.8% rise from the 55 fires reported in 2023.
Second Consecutive Year of Increased AMD Fires
This marks the second consecutive year with an increase in AMD fires. In 2023, the number of AMD fires jumped by 31% from 42 in 2022. Prior to 2019, the incidents had been gradually decreasing.
Types of Active Mobility Devices Involved
AMDs encompass personal mobility devices (PMDs), power-assisted bicycles (PABs), and personal mobility aids (PMAs). In 2024, PABs were the most common type of AMD involved in the fires, with 31 cases, similar to 2023. The number of PMDs involved rose from 18 in 2023 to 25 in 2024, while PMAs doubled from five to 11.
Safety Concerns and Modified Devices
SCDF stresses that AMD fires pose a significant safety concern, especially in homes. In 2024, 44 AMD fires occurred in homes, a rise of nine from 2023.
A major factor contributing to these fires, according to SCDF, is the modification of devices by adding extra batteries beyond their original design. These modifications void safety certifications and can lead to dangerous outcomes.
An SCDF spokesperson advised the public against modifying their devices and emphasized the importance of using only compliant and certified units.
Mr. Markham Shaw, chairman of the National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council, echoed this warning, highlighting the risks posed by improper usage and charging practices.
First Prosecution for Selling Non-Compliant AMDs
In early January, there was a significant legal action against an e-bike shop owner. Prince Bryan Tan, 29, was fined $7,000 for selling non-compliant batteries and illegally modified PABs. This was the first such prosecution in Singapore.
The devices Tan sold were linked to two fires in Hougang and Bukit Batok in 2024, causing one person to suffer burns.
Prevention Tips from SCDF
To prevent AMD fires, SCDF advises purchasing devices with the UL2272 certification from official retailers or original manufacturers. Users should avoid leaving devices charging unattended and should not place them near combustible materials or escape routes.
Increase in Fire Deaths
The number of fire-related deaths in 2024 saw an increase to five, up from three in 2023. These tragic incidents included fatalities in five separate fires across different locations in Singapore.
One notable incident occurred in February when two fires in Marsiling Road and Canberra Crescent claimed two lives.
Additional fatalities were recorded in May, August, and September, affecting individuals ranging from 44 to 79 years old.
Incident Analysis and Response
A total of 1,990 fires were recorded in 2024, compared to 1,954 in 2023. The increase is attributed to more fires at commercial and social premises, such as community centers and religious sites.
Home fires remained a significant concern, with 968 blazes in 2024, slightly fewer than the 970 in 2023. Unattended cooking and electrical faults remained the primary causes.
Vehicle Fires
Vehicle fires saw a slight increase, with 220 incidents in 2024 compared to 215 in 2023. Among these, only one involved an electric vehicle.
SCDF attributes the main causes to overheating and electrical faults in the engine compartment.
Reduction in False Alarm Calls
A positive trend was observed in the reduction of false alarm calls. SCDF received 245,279 emergency calls in 2024, a 0.6% decrease from 246,832 in 2023.
False alarm calls also fell by 9.1%, from 6,285 to 5,713.
SCDF attributes the reduction to public education efforts and increased awareness.
Enhanced Response through Community First Responders (CFRs)
The community first responder (CFR) program continued to grow, with 40,245 new sign-ups in 2024, a 14.1% increase from 2023.
The myResponder app has connected over 203,000 CFRs, who have responded to alerts via the app and have saved 94 lives in cardiac arrest cases since its launch in 2015.
The response rate of CFRs in 2024 increased to 50.3% from 43.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
While the rise in AMD fires and fire-related deaths is a concern, efforts by SCDF and community responders demonstrate a proactive approach to enhancing public safety.
By adhering to safety guidelines and using certified devices, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing these incidents.
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