China vows to lower fire risks for upcoming winter, spring

The Ministry of Public Security has vowed to continue making efforts to decrease fire risks, with a special focus on major holidays and festivals during the upcoming winter and spring. According to a statement released Tuesday by the ministry, police and firefighters should remain alert during the National Firefighting Day on Nov. 11, New Year's Day and the Lunar Spring Festival, with fire drills scheduled to be launched in various companies and organizations to keep civilians prepared for potential fires. During major festivals, authorities will also launch special campaigns to check transportation hubs, shopping malls and warehouses containing fireworks for fire risks. China experienced a total of 8,469 fire-related accidents over the past month, down 17.5 percent year-on-year as a result of a nationwide campaign to eliminate fire risks that was launched on Sept. 26, according to figures from the ministry. The fires resulted in 13 deaths and 26 injured, down by 80.3 percent and 40.9 percent, respectively, with direct economic losses of 89.1 million yuan (13.7 million U.S. dollars), according to the ministry.