There were, on average, about eight PMD fires every month in Singapore from January to September 2019.

This statistic was revealed by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) on Saturday (Dec. 14) in a PMD fire safety animation video.

The number of PMD fires has also increased steadily over the years.

There were 73 PMD fires from January 2019 to September 2019. This number is higher than the number of PMD fires in 2018 alone.

Between 2016 and September 2019, there were 71 casualties arising from PMD fires.

The video added that smoke inhalation, burns, and physical trauma are some of the injuries that arise from PMD fires.

How a PMD battery fire starts

PMDs that are left charging on their own can cause sudden sparks that lead to electrical fires.

Here’s actual footage of a PMD battery catching fire:

Fire safety tips

If you own a PMD or power-assisted bicycle (PAB), here are some safety tips to ensure that your device does not catch fire:

1. Do not charge your PMD/PAB or its batteries near combustible materials.
2. Do not leave your charging devices or batteries unattended for a long period or overnight.
3. Do not charge your PMD/PAB immediately after use.
4. Do not modify or repair your PMD/PAB on your own.
5. Use a power adaptor that carries the safety mark.
6. Use PMD that has the UL2272 certification.
7. Examine your device batteries for damage or deformities such as bloating, corrosion, or powdery residue regularly
8. Charge your PMD/PAB on a hard, flat surface for the heat for optimal heat dissipation.

You can watch SCDF's PMD fire safety animation video below:

Top image via SCDF/Facebook.