Taipei City Fire Department

To improve awareness of residential fire safety and disaster prevention, Taipei City Fire Department and Bade Electronics Marketplace will jointly hold a Zhongzheng District disaster prevention event at Bade Electronics Marketplace (Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District - east to Xinsheng South Road and west to Jinshan North Road) from 1:30pm to 5pm on July 22nd, 2023. 

This event coincides with the annual street closure event. There will be road closures, sales events, various interactive disaster prevention-themed educational booths, and games to encourage people to collect stamps for a price. Attendees will be able to download apps like “Video 119”, “Taipei City Disaster Prevention”, and “Fire and disaster prevention e-point” and learn about the use of electricity and gas safety, CPR and AED operations,  residential fire alarms, surviving in drowning scenarios, earthquake preparedness and response.

According to the statistics from Taipei City Fire Department, a total of 1,552 fires occurred in Taipei 2022. The leading cause of home fires is cooking fire (a total of 617 fires accounting for 39.8%), followed by electrical factors (a total of 497 fires accounting for 32.0%). Taipei City Fire Department appeals to the public to pay attention to fire safety at home. Not only should everyone never leave cooking unattended, but when using electrical equipment, they must follow 6 principles below:

1. Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. 
2. Avoid using bundled or damaged electrical wires. 
3. Unplug electrical devices when not in use. 
4. Avoid using damp or defaced plugs.
5. Keep combustibles away from electrical appliances.
6. Do not purchase or use products that are lack of safety labels. 

In addition, due to the gas leak incidents occoured recently, citizens have to pay attention to these incidents, and it is important not to panic and follow the procedure. Firstly, forbid the use of any electrical appliances to prevent sparks. Secondly, turn off the main gas switch or the valve on the gas tank. Thirdly, open windows for ventilation to allow the gas to dissipate. Next, evacuate the premises and move outdoors. Finally, contact emergency services through video call or dial 119 to notify the rescue team for assistance.

This summer, Taipei City Fire Department invites the public to join the event and hopes everyone can learn more about disaster prevention to properly prepare for different types of disasters. Taipei City Fire Department will continually strive to improve local preparedness and response capacity, ultimately preventing and reducing the impacts of disasters on communities in Taipei.