Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Ajis has urged the public to prepare for the Northeast Monsoon, which could bring heavy rain and cause flooding in high-risk areas.
He outlined five key flood safety measures, including moving immediately to a safer location when instructed by the authorities or when conditions threaten personal safety.
The public should never attempt to cross flooded roads on foot or by vehicle, as water depth and currents could be dangerous.
“Keep children away from playing in floodwaters, ensure they are always supervised by adults and keep them away from flooded areas,” he said on Thursday.
He also advised the public to switch off the electricity supply before leaving home, provided it was safe to do so and there was no contact with floodwater, and warned against touching switches or electrical appliances while standing in wet or flooded areas.
Mohd Pisar urged the public to stay away from fallen electrical cables, avoid approaching or touching damaged power lines, and report them immediately to the authorities or the relevant utility company.
He said the public should remain alert to weather warnings and instructions from the authorities, prioritise the safety of themselves, their families and the community throughout the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon, and call 999 in an emergency.
On home fire safety, he said fire prevention began with individual responsibility and that safety awareness should be instilled from childhood.
“Children should not play with electrical sockets, switches or appliances without adult supervision, should always keep their hands dry when using electrical appliances, and should avoid overloading sockets,” he stressed.
Parents should also monitor their children’s activities and ensure electrical appliances were safe, while anyone who discovered a fire or smoke inside the home should remain calm.
“Leave the house immediately through a safe exit, help family members if conditions permit, and never re-enter a burning house,” he said.
He advised the public not to attempt to extinguish a fire if doing so would endanger their lives, but to seek help from the Fire and Rescue Department immediately.
He said preventing fires was a shared responsibility and that the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department remained committed to providing firefighting and rescue services to protect the community.
