Users, sellers of non-compliant AMDs may face tougher action after recent fires

The recent fires involving active mobility devices (AMDs) are a significant area of concern for the authorities, who are considering tougher action against sellers and users of non-compliant devices.

- David Sun

Such devices pose significant safety risks, and those who use or sell them knowingly endanger the lives of their families and neighbours, said Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam.

He was responding in a written reply on Sept 22 to parliamentary questions from Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) about fires involving such devices.

Fires in HDB estates have generally been on the decline, from 939 in 2020 to 803 in 2024, said Mr Shanmugam. But fires cause major disruptions leading to the loss of assets and lives, and most of them could have been prevented.

He said there have been 187 fires involving AMDs over the last five years.

Of these, about 46 per cent involved personal mobility devices (PMDs), 42 per cent involved power-assisted bicycles (PABs) and 12 per cent involved personal mobility aids (PMAs).

Mr Shanmugam said 98 of these fires, or about half, happened during charging of the devices.

There were 22 AMD-related fires in HDB flats in 2024, compared with 20 in 2023 and 19 in 2022.

There were also 21 such fires in the common areas of HDB estates in 2024, compared with 14 in 2023 and Il in 2022.

He said: “Although such fires form a small proportion of fires in HDB estates, AMD-related fires are typically more severe and more likely to result in fatalities and injuries. We are especially concerned about non-compliant AMDs.

“We are considering tougher enforcement action to send a stronger deterrent signal that the use or sale of non-compliant AMDs poses significant safety risks.”