With more than 80% of Singaporeans living in high-rise HDB flats, it is important that every HDB resident plays an active role in building a safe living environment for all. The HDB would like to urge residents to play an active part in eradicating killer litter. The recent incident in Sengkang where a guest at a void deck function was injured by killer litter is a serious reminder of the dire consequences of killer litter.

On-going Efforts

2         The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has been working with town councils (TCs), grassroots organisations and religious organisations to educate residents on the danger of killer litter. On-going enforcement actions were also taken against residents who placed or hung objects in a dangerous manner that pose a threat to public safety.

3         These efforts have enhanced residents' awareness of the danger of killer litter in HDB estates. The number of warnings served on residents by HDB and TCs for placing objects in a dangerous manner has reduced by about 40%, from about 7,800 per month in 2007 to about 4,650 per month in 2008. However, in the first eight months of 2009, there was a slight increase to 4,900 warnings per month.




4         HDB is embarking on a public education campaign over the next few months to urge residents to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards potential killer litter. HDB will be sending advisory letters to all HDB households and displaying posters on all notice boards in HDB estates.

5         Some examples of potential killer litter are:

a) Items hung from bamboo pole holders (e.g. potted plants);
b) Items placed horizontally on the bamboo pole holders (e.g. brooms and mops);
c) Items placed on parapet wall and/or window ledge (e.g. flower pots);
d) Items hung from ceiling above the parapet wall (e.g. bird cages).

Generally, items that are attached or hung from parts of the buildings such that they may fall to the ground level under certain circumstances, are considered potential killer litter. Annex A shows photos of common potential killer litter.

6         Residents can play their part to eradicate killer litter by observing some basic "Do’s and Don’ts”:

Do’s
• Remove / relocate objects that are placed in a dangerous manner;
• Encourage your family, friends and neighbours to remove objects that are placed in a dangerous manner;
• Observe proper use of bamboo pole holders (e.g. not placing bamboo poles in a “criss-cross” manner)
• Share with your family, friends and neighbours the consequences of potential killer litter
• Alert your Town Council when you see instances of killer litter


Dont’s
• Do not place objects on the ledges of windows / balconies;
• Do not place objects on the parapet walls of common corridors;
• Do not hang items above the parapet walls / balconies;
• Do not throw objects from your flat or from the common areas;
• Do not tie / hang objects from the bamboo pole holders (e.g. shopping trolleys, cooking woks, bicycles, etc)
• Do not place objects in a manner that may endanger the safety of the general public

Enforcement

7         HDB takes a serious view of any irresponsible or negligent act that endangers the safety of others in public housing estates. HDB will not hesitate to take strong action against recalcitrant offenders, including bringing offenders to court and in serious cases, compulsorily acquiring the flat.

Safe and Pleasant Living Environment

8         By observing simple Do’s and Don’ts, residents can play their part to eliminate killer litter from HDB estates. Together with HDB and the TCs, residents can create a safe and pleasant living environment for themselves, their families and the community.