Nationwide fire prevention campaign launched

The State Council's Office of the Production Safety Commission has issued a notice ordering a nationwide fire prevention campaign until March, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Nov 18.

The office has asked local authorities to examine labor intensive companies, entertainment venues, hotels, high-rise buildings, old people's homes and other places that need heightened vigilance against fire risks, and have them rectify any problems found.

They should also enhance examination of large commercial complexes, museums and cultural relics to eliminate such risks.

Small companies and family workshops are also targets of the campaign.

The authorities should improve public knowledge about preventing and escaping from fires, and enhance the fire safety training of people in risky businesses, according to the notice.

Fire risks are heightened in winter and spring, the ministry said.

Over the past decade, there were 42.4 percent more fires in winter and spring than in summer and autumn, and winter and spring fires have killed about 70 percent more people than fires in summer and autumn, it said.