IMPLEMENTATION OF KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER OF FIRE SAFETY AT HOME THROUGH A COMMUNITY PROGRAM

Abstract

Fire safety is commonly enforced and practised across all industries in Malaysia. However, fire safety practices among individuals are often not applied in residential areas because they feel or perceive homes are safer (i.e., it is where they live and they believe they are familiar with what goes on in their own home) than workplaces. Because of such perception, house fires remain a serious threat, especially in densely populated areas. Faulty wiring, overloaded power sockets, and unattended stoves or candles are common causes of house fires, according to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department. This paper presents a community program aimed at raising awareness and providing basic knowledge of home safety, enabling residents to practice preventive measures early to reduce the risk of serious accidents. The program addressed significant gaps in fire safety awareness and preparedness, targeting residents of Taman Sri Pulai in Skudai. Researchers from UTM collaborated with the mosque committee and Komuniti Rukun Tetangga (KRT) to implement a comprehensive program involving knowledge transfer from agency and industry experts. The program featured exhibitions, talks, and demonstrations conducted by industry representatives and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department. A survey on home fire safety–safety awareness, preparedness, and practices–was conducted during the program and participated in by 116 individuals. The analysis of responses indicated that 84 percent of participants knew the causes of fire, and 72 percent knew how to put out fires at home. The analysis also revealed that many residents lacked a fire extinguisher at home. The program highlights the importance of targeted education in promoting community safety and underscores the value of leveraging industry expertise for public education.