PSLE#19 English Oral - Fire Safety in the Heartlands: Vigilance is Key
PSLEhacker Episode #19 - TREE Method
Date of News Article: 19 February 2026 Source: Adapted from The Straits Times (Singapore / Housing)
Reading Passage:
Singapore’s high-rise landscape makes living close to one another a daily reality for most citizens. While this fosters strong community bonds, it also means that emergencies, such as residential fires, can pose a significant danger to many lives at once. Recently, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reported a concerning number of fire outbreaks in HDB estates, prompting a nationwide reminder on fire safety.
Many of these household fires are entirely preventable. Common causes include unattended cooking, discarded cigarette butts, and electrical faults from overcharged devices like Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) or mobile phones left plugged in overnight. When a fire breaks out in a densely populated block, thick smoke can quickly engulf the corridors, making evacuation difficult and causing severe smoke inhalation injuries.
To combat this, the SCDF actively conducts community outreach programs. They strongly urge residents to adopt safe habits, such as switching off electrical appliances when not in use and ensuring that common corridors are kept completely free of clutter. Items like bulky furniture or discarded cardboard boxes not only fuel the flames but also block crucial escape routes during emergencies.
Safety is a shared responsibility. Parents are encouraged to inculcate fire safety awareness in their children from a young age, teaching them how to dial 995 and plan an escape route. By keeping our corridors clear and adopting safe habits, residents take a proactive step in protecting their families and neighbours. Making a meaningful and wise choice to prioritize fire safety ensures that our HDB estates remain safe, secure havens for everyone.
Word Count: 288 words
PSLE Oral Practice: Stimulus-Based Conversation (TREE Method)
Question 1: Visual Stimulus
“Look at the picture. What is happening in the HDB block, and why is this a very dangerous situation?”
Thought (T): Thick grey smoke is billowing out of a window in one of the HDB units, which clearly indicates that a fire has broken out inside the flat.
Reason (R): This is extremely dangerous because, in a high-rise building, a fire can spread very rapidly to neighbouring units. Furthermore, the thick smoke can trap residents in the corridors, making it difficult for them to breathe and evacuate safely.
Experience (E): Seeing the dark smoke reminds me of a fire drill we had in school. The firefighters explained how quickly a small spark can turn into a raging fire if it catches onto curtains or furniture. It gave me a deep sense of accomplishment to learn the proper evacuation routes, but seeing a real fire like in this picture is terrifying.
Ending (E): Therefore, a fire in an HDB block is a serious emergency, and residents must be proactive in evacuating immediately to stay safe.
Question 2: Personal Opinion
“What are some good habits you and your family practice at home to prevent fires from starting?”
Thought (T): My family is very careful to prevent fires by always monitoring our cooking and managing our electrical appliances properly.
Reason (R): Most home fires start because people are careless or forgetful in the kitchen, or because electrical sockets are overloaded. By being mindful, we eliminate these risks.
Experience (E): For instance, my mother always inculcates in me the rule that I must never leave my mobile phone or laptop charging on my bed overnight, as it might overheat and catch fire. Also, before we leave the house or go to sleep, we do a quick check to ensure the gas stove and main electrical switches are turned off.
Ending (E): By making these daily checks a habit, we make a meaningful and wise choice that protects our home from disasters.
Question 3: Solution-Based
“If you discovered that a fire had broken out in your neighbour’s flat, what are the steps you would take?”
Thought (T): I would immediately alert everyone in my home to evacuate and call the SCDF at 995.
Reason (R): It is critical to get out of the building as quickly as possible before the smoke becomes too thick. Calling the professionals ensures that the fire is put out safely, as it is too dangerous for an ordinary person to fight a large fire.
Experience (E): On my way down the stairs—because we must never use the lift during a fire—I would byte the bullet and bang loudly on my neighbours’ doors and shout “Fire!” to warn them, especially the elderly neighbours who might be sleeping or unable to hear the alarm. Looking out for one another in emergencies really helps to forge a strong sense of camaraderie in the community.
Ending (E): Acting swiftly, calmly, and looking out for our neighbours is the best way to ensure everyone survives such an emergency unscathed.
To continue when you are free……………
Theme: Emergency Preparedness / HDB Living / Safety Visual Stimulus: The photo provided showing thick grey smoke billowing out of a window on the upper floors of a colourful (red, blue, yellow, and white) HDB flat.
📖 Vocabulary List
Billowing (Verb): (Of smoke, cloud, or steam) moving or flowing outward with an undulating motion.
Evacuation (Noun): The action of emptying a place or leaving a dangerous area for a safer one.
Unattended (Adjective): Not being watched or looked after.
Clutter (Noun): A collection of things lying about in an untidy mass.
Engulf (Verb): (Of a natural force) sweep over something so as to surround or cover it completely.
🌟 Idiom of the Day
“Better safe than sorry”
Meaning: It is wiser to be cautious and careful than to be hasty or rash and regret it later.
PSLE Oral Usage: “My parents always remind me to unplug my devices before sleeping because when it comes to fire hazards, it is always better safe than sorry.”