15 owners or representatives of owners' corporations fined a total of over $73,000 for causing fire hazards such as by propping open smoke stop doors
The Fire Services Department (FSD) has been mounting territory-wide special enforcement actions at old composite buildings since late April. As of end-August, the FSD inspected 930 old composite buildings and issued over 5 300 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices (FHANs) to relevant individuals or responsible parties, requiring them to abate the identified fire hazards within a specified timeframe. The fire hazards mainly involve wedging or propping open smoke stop doors and obstructing means of escape.
Fifteen owners or representatives of owners' corporations from 13 old composite buildings were prosecuted by the FSD for failing to comply with the requirements of the FHANs. They were subsequently convicted and fined a total of $73,400 at Shatin Magistrates' Courts, Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts, Eastern Magistrates' Courts, Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts and Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts this week and last week. Above all, one of the old composite buildings was found to have multiple smoke stop doors propped open, resulting in its owners' corporation being fined a total of $19,200 at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (September 20).
According to the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation, a person on whom an FHAN is served commits an offence if that person fails to comply with a requirement of the notice within the period specified in the notice, or if the person on whom a fire hazard abatement notice is served causes, permits or suffers the fire hazard to recur at any time within a period of 12 months after the date of service of the notice, the person commits an offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000, and an additional fine of $10,000 for each day the offense continues.
The FSD reminds the public not to wedge or prop open smoke stop doors or obstruct means of escape to ensure public safety.
Update on dengue fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (September 20) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
From September 13 to yesterday (September 19), the CHP recorded three imported DF cases; the patients had been to India (two cases) and the Mainland (one case) during the incubation periods.
As of yesterday, 64 cases of DF, including 60 imported and four local cases, had been recorded in 2024. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.
According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmissions, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, had resulted in close to a historic high of over 6.5 million cases, and more than 7 300 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. The latest surveillance data shows that there is an increase in DF cases noted in some places in Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2024, the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina and Peru, have recorded over 11 million cases, a record number. Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/df_imported_cases_and_overseas_figures_eng.pdf).
"Apart from general measures, travellers returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor," a spokesman for the CHP said.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
• Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
• Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
• Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
• Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
• Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
• Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
• Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
• Read the label instructions carefully first;
• Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
• Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
• Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
• Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.
