‘This is public HDB, not private property’: Halloween decorations along HDB corridor spark safety concerns among netizens

Halloween decorations covering hallway in HDB raise safety concerns

Halloween is just around the corner and one HDB corridor has gone all out with decorations — but not everyone is happy.

A recent Reddit post showcasing the festive setup has caught the attention of locals, sparking a discussion about safety and compliance with HDB rules.

Posted on Monday (28 Oct) by Redditor @PhotographOld5934, the video features an HDB corridor covered in various Halloween decors including fake dismembered hands hanging from the ceiling, fake cobwebs, and cloths hanging on the walls smeared with red paint.

Halloween decorations cover walkway in HDB

Captioned “HDB Halloween celebration”, the video opens with an HDB lift that seems to be malfunctioning, as if in a horror movie scene.

The lift display speeds up and stops at a high floor, where the lift doors open.

The video pans to the lift lobby where red and white safety barrier tape can be seen hanging from the ceiling.

As the video moves along the HDB corridor, it turns to one walkway that has been specially covered with Halloween decorations.

Fake dismembered hands and feet litter either side of the walkway. Cutouts of bloodied knives hang on a twine from the ceiling.

Several fake dismembered hands and feet, as well as fake spiders, also hang from the ceiling through a piece of string.

Pieces of cloth splattered with red paint hang from the wall, resembling cobwebs. Notably, two large pieces of cloth can be seen hanging from the ceiling and obstructing the walkway.

The video ends in front of an HDB flat where all the decors seemingly came from.

A small box of other trinkets can be seen in front of the flat, though the view towards the front door is obstructed by a cloth hanging from the ceiling.

The video did not specify the location of the HDB.

Netizens expect Town Council will be notified

While some netizens appreciate the effort to celebrate the spooky season, a wave of concern has surfaced among commenters, worrying that the display could pose a safety risk.

One netizen believes the decorators might be charged with public nuisance because of the incident.

Many raise the point that HDB walkways should not be obstructed. Such obstructions become particularly cumbersome for residents who are wheelchair-bound.

One netizen raised the incident of the ‘sauna’ spotted on an HDB corridor in Serangoon, which was later dismantled.

One netizen commented that the decors may potentially obstruct paramedics should they need to take that particular corridor, to which another commenter responded that those who are not able to make it to the hospital due to the obstruction “will become part” of the Halloween decorations.

While many expect that the Town Council will be notified of this incident, others think that it is “fine and good” as long as the neighbouring units have been consulted about the decorations.

According to HDB regulations, access corridors must remain unobstructed to ensure safety for all residents. With pathways serving as essential escape routes during emergencies, any items deemed hazardous could face removal.

According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fire safety guidelines, a minimum clear escape passage of 1.2m clearance is to be maintained along the common corridor.

MS News has reached out to the video’s OP for more information.

Also read: ‘Sauna’ seen at entrance of HDB flat, netizens say structure is probably illegal

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Reddit.