HDB Residents Report Fake Salesmen Selling Fire Extinguishers, SP Group Warns It’s Not Their Staff

SP Group Says They Don’t Do Door-To-Door HDB Sales, Especially For Fire Extinguishers

If someone knocks on your door and tries to get you to buy SP Group fire extinguishers, take caution. They might be bogus salespeople posing as staff from the company.

The best thing you can do is to shut the door in their faces and let them be on their merry way.

Or as SP Group phrases it in their Facebook advisory on Wednesday (24 Jul), ask for the salesmen’s identification if you’re interested to make a purchase.

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Apparently, there’s been reports of salespeople posing as SP Group staff to sell fire extinguishers.

But here’s the catch — doing door-to-door sales is not their practice.

Likely banking on recent HDB fires

According to The Straits Times, it is likely that the suspected scammers are banking on residents’ worries given the recent spate of Housing Development Board (HDB) flat fires.

Shocking footage of the Ang Mo Kio fire at Block 720 earlier this month

The report also highlights SP Group’s advisory, which urges residents to always ask for and check the identification of the person claiming to be from the company.

Residents shouldn’t provide personal particulars to strangers too.

HDB fires a cause for concern

There has been a spike in HDB fires recently, with the most recent occurrence on Monday (22 Jul) where a fire engulfed a 4th-floor unit of Block 224 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1.

The fire was reportedly caused by an e-scooter that exploded, while being left to charge. Authorities evacuated about 60 people as a result.

The suspected PMD was found near the kitchen sink
Source

Among some of the recent cases in July alone are:

• Fire at Block 293D Bukit Batok Street 21 on 18 Jul
  • A man died, 70 people evacuated
• Blaze at Block 191 Boon Lay Drive on 15 Jul
  • Around 100 people evacuated
• Massive fire at Block 720 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 on 5 Jul
  • Occupants of 16 shops & 28 residential units were evacuated
• Fire at Block 125 Tampines Street 11 on 4 Jul

Buying fire extinguishers from legit sellers

If you have yet to own a fire extinguisher and know nothing about how to choose one, fret not.

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According to fire protection service group, Leeden Fire Safety, here are some things you should take note of before buying:

1. Ratings:
Extinguishers have A, B or C, D and F labels, representing different types of fires. This means, those labelled A-B-C can be used for fires in categories A, B and C.

2. Numbering:
Numbers indicate the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher. The higher the number, the more effective the extinguisher.

3. Size:
Size doesn’t affect effectiveness. Bigger extinguishers only means bigger volume inside the container.

As for how many many extinguishers are required for one household? This really depends on the type of premises and amount of risk anticipated.

To know more about the last tip, you may need a fire expert or a fire extinguisher supplier to estimate this.

You may also contact Singapore Civil Defense Force at their fire safety hotline 1800 280 0000 for more information.

Meanwhile, stay vigilant, ask for identification, and don’t fall prey to scammers.

Featured image from Carousell and Steiner Woodwork.