Improve fire safety at home

You may have heard about the recent Wang Fuk Court fire, which claimed the lives of at least 161 people in November 2025. With most Singaporeans living in high-density HDB flats, this is also a stark reminder of why fire safety matters – where even a small lapse can have serious consequences.

Thankfully, improving fire safety at home doesn’t have to mean expensive renovation works. Here are small upgrades under $45, ranked from cheapest to most expensive, that’ll help reduce common fire risks in your home.

1. Gas cooker knob covers

Prevents kitchen fires

Image credit: Shopee

Anyone who is clumsy or lives with pets or kids will know the struggle of having things knocked over, moved, or fiddled with. These little actions can turn dangerous when it comes to the kitchen, where bumping into a gas stove knob can turn the burner on, or worse, cause an unlit burner to leak out explosive gases.

That’s why it’s important to get a gas cooker knob cover ($1/each) to prevent them from being accidentally twisted. The covers are made of clear plastic that can withstand temperatures of up to 120°C – simply pop the lid open to access the knob, and push it shut after cooking.

Beyond the safety aspect, using a knob cover also prevents grease and dirt from getting on them, allowing fuss-free cleaning.

Stock up on gas cooker knob covers.

2. Cable organiser ties & protectors

Keep your cables safe

Image adapted from: Shopee

Messy and tangled cables not only look bad, but can also trap heat and wear down their insulation over time. This will increase the strain on plugs and sockets, causing short circuits and electrical fires.

Keeping your cables neat and tidy is an easy fix to that, and releasable cable organiser ties ($1.52/10pcs) will keep wires separated and secured in place. Just peel the adhesive film off the ties, and you can stick them on any clean surface.

Image credit: Shopee

Pair the cable organiser ties with a universal soft silicone charging cable protector ($1.80/2pcs) to prevent your cables from fraying.

These small upgrades can really go a long way in reducing electrical fire hazards around the house.

Get the cable organiser ties and charging cable protector.

3. Heat detector

Detects kitchen fires

Image adapted from: Amazon

While a smoke detector may be the first thing you think of when it comes to sniffing out a fire, they can’t actually work in places like kitchens or bathrooms, where the smoke and steam will set off false alarms. That’s where the EMOS Heat Detector ($25.08) comes in.

Instead of detecting smoke, this wireless gadget triggers a sound and red LED alarm once the surrounding temperature reaches more than 54°C. The heat detector is stated to have a 10-year lifespan and can be set up easily by installing it in the centre of your ceiling. Just remember to change the battery out regularly, and to press its testing button frequently to check that it’s still working.

Shop the EMOS Heat Detector.

4. Candle warmer lamp

Flame-free alternative to burning candles

Image adapted from: Shopee

Self-care girlies need not give up their scented candles in the name of fire safety, as a candle warmer lamp ($25.50) lets you enjoy the scent without any flames.

This heat lamp gently warms your candle to evenly release its aroma without producing any smoke or soot. That means a longer-lasting fragrance, candle life, and better air quality.

Some models are even adjustable to fit candles of all sizes, have different brightness/warming adjustment settings, and varying timer modes so that you don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving it on overnight.

Get the candle warmer lamp.

5. Fire blanket

For small, contained fires

Image adapted from: Shopee

Kitchen fires are the most common type of home fires in Singapore, where unattended cooking or oil splatters can ignite into a Class F fire – fires caused by cooking oils and fats. These fires absolutely cannot be put out with water, so it’s handy to have a fire blanket stashed away instead.

The Falcon Fire Blanket ($33) is a single-use blanket that works by smothering the flames and cutting off oxygen supply, putting out small kitchen fires before they get out of hand. To use it, pull the tape down to release the blanket, then leave it over the fire before turning off the power supply. This blanket is designed to contain small fires quickly, so it’s good to keep it within reach of the kitchen.

Get the Falcon Fire Blanket.

6. Smart surge protectors

Prevents electrical fires

Image credit: Shopee

According to SCDF, electricity is one of the top 3 causes of residential fires in Singapore – and the culprit behind many of them is an overloaded power strip. This happens when too many high-power devices are plugged into the strip, drawing more electricity than it can handle and causing the wires to overheat and, in the worst cases, catch fire.

Consider switching to the Targus Smart Surge Protector ($34.90) for a reduced risk of overloading. Surge protectors are designed to divert excess voltage during power surges, and this model can absorb a solid 1,000 joules of electricity during such cases.

It also comes with 2 USB Smart Detection Ports to automatically detect the exact charge required by the connected devices for fast and safe charging. And if you’re concerned about quality, this surge protector has a 24-month warranty – you can rest easy knowing it’s built to last.

Grab the Targus Smart Surge Protector.

7. Smoke detectors

First line of fire safety

Image adapted from: Shopee

A smoke detector is one of the most important devices when it comes to improving home fire safety, so much so that Singapore has mandated the installation of HFADs – smoke or heat detectors – in all new homes starting from June 2018. If you don’t know where to start, the Smoke Detector ($38) by Fire Guard, one of the HFAD suppliers listed by SCDF, is one you can consider.

This fast-reacting photoelectric smoke detector complies with SCDF standards and comes with a 12-month warranty. Upon detecting smoke, it will flash quickly and sound a loud alarm that’s hard to miss. While the included DC9V battery can power the smoke detector for a year, it’s recommended to switch to a 9V battery to extend its life for up to 5 years.

Besides that, the gadget’s LED light will blink slowly at all times to let you know that it’s working, and you should push the “TEST” button once a week to check that everything’s still in order.

As with all smoke detectors, this one should be installed on the ceiling along escape routes like living rooms and corridors. Just avoid installing them in kitchens and bathrooms, as the smoke and steam will set off false alarms.

Get the Smoke Detector.

8. Carbon monoxide detector

Detects deadly gas

Image adapted from: Amazon

During a fire, carbon monoxide – a colourless and odourless gas – is produced, and breathing it in can cause rapid oxygen deprivation before you even realise.

The Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm ($38.44) is a battery-powered detector that will continuously monitor the air in your home to provide greater peace of mind. It’s designed to sound a loud alarm when unsafe levels of carbon monoxide are detected, so that you can find safety before it’s too late.

This detector offers more protection beyond fires, as carbon monoxide can also build up from faulty appliances or poor ventilation. And as with other detectors, remember to change the batteries regularly and press the “Test” button frequently to make sure that it’s working.

Get the Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm.

9. Portable dry fire extinguisher

Effective for most types of fires

Image credit: Shopee

For broader protection, the Falcon 1KG Fire Extinguisher ($40) is a portable and versatile model to get. This dry powder extinguisher works on Class A, B, and C fires, which are some of the common ones to happen at home.

This extinguisher comes with a 5-year warranty and is compact enough for small units, so we recommend getting more than one to keep in each room if you can.

Buy the Falcon 1KG Fire Extinguisher.

Improve your home fire safety with these small upgrades

At the end of the day, home fire safety isn’t all about preparing for worst-case scenarios, but about reducing everyday hazards that we often overlook. From keeping your cables organised to having the right smoke and heat detectors installed, these small upgrades under $45 can make your home much safer without disrupting your routine or breaking the bank.

For more safety tips:

• Easy self-defence techniques
• Safety tips to follow when overseas
• How to verify TikTok livestream sellers and recognise fake listings

Cover image adapted from: Shopee
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