KUCHING: Children below five years old are at the highest risk of becoming victims of fire, said Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) state director Khirudin Drahman.
Speaking at the 3K (Kelab Keselamatan Kanak-Kanak) convention at the Kota Samarahan fire station yesterday, Khirudin said this is based on a study that was conducted in the US.
“The same study has also shown that a total of 488 children under 14 years old died in house fires while a total of 116,600 suffered from fire injuries each year,” he added.
Khirudin was addressing 111 kindergarten pupils/club members at the convention, which he said is an important platform for Bomba to reach out to the younger generation.
Young children, he added, are just beginning to explore the world and are oblivious to danger, not even knowing the risk of playing with matches and fireworks.
That was among the reasons why Bomba constantly focused on educating children when they are still in kindergarten; hence the 3K Club, he said.
The modules used at the convention, through theory and practical sessions, by Bomba personnel and teachers such as ‘stop, drop and roll’, ‘stay low and go’ and fire drill will
prepare children on what action they should take during a fire emergency, he added.
Meanwhile, Bomba Zone 2 which covers fire stations in Kota Samarahan, Siburan, Serian and Simunjan has formed a total of 44 3K clubs with 1,580 members as of Sept 2019.
“We are expecting the number of clubs and members to increase based on the rising need and the increasing number of kindergartens,” he added.
Present were Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Idris Buang and Kota Samarahan district officer Ainnie Wahab.