Community initiative to equip 500 households with fire safety kits and practical education to mitigate rising home fire risks.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore, a leading insurer in Singapore, is launching a fire safety community initiative in Toa Payoh to raise awareness of common household fire risks and the importance of basic protection for the home. This initiative is carried out in partnership with Care Corner Senior Services, which supports seniors through its network of Active Ageing Centres and Senior Care Centres in Toa Payoh.

With the rising number of household fires recorded in Toa Payoh throughout 2025, the need for community-led fire safety education has never been more pressing. This is especially critical given the estate’s demographic profile – boasting one of Singapore’s highest concentrations of seniors – and its status as an ‘Age Well Neighbourhood.’ These recent incidents highlight the unique vulnerabilities of seniors living alone and the importance of tailored safety support.

Taking place on 15 and 23 January 2026, the initiative aims to reach 500 senior households, some of whom live on their own, equipping them with knowledge and tools to better manage fire risks at home. Based on the Singapore Civil Defence Force 2024 annual report, common causes of household fires include unattended cooking and the overloading of electrical sockets. The programme focuses on addressing risks such as these through education and preparedness.

As part of the initiative, seniors will attend a fire safety session, led by fire protection solutions industry leader Fire Armour, on fire prevention and management at home. Each participating household will receive a lightweight one-kilogram dry powder fire extinguisher as a first line of safety equipment. Volunteers will be on hand to assist senior participants who require help in bringing the fire extinguishers home, while selected households will also receive direct distribution to ensure broader reach within the community.

“At Etiqa, we believe insurance should help people feel ready for everyday risks, not only support recovery after something goes wrong. Fires are a real and immediate concern for many households, especially seniors living independently. As the appointed Fire Insurer for the Housing and Development Board, we are committed to equip communities with practical fire safety knowledge and that can make a real difference at home,” said Raymond Ong, CEO, Etiqa Insurance Singapore.

“Many seniors want to live independently but may not always be aware of everyday risks at home. At Care Corner Senior Services, we support seniors through our network of Active Ageing Centres and Senior Care Centres in Toa Payoh. Together with Etiqa, we are bringing fire safety education and support directly into the community to help seniors feel more confident and reassured in their daily lives,” said Sharon Tang, Deputy Director, Active Ageing Group, Care Corner Seniors Services.

Through this community initiative, Etiqa Insurance Singapore reinforces its commitment to supporting seniors to age safely within their neighbourhoods, standing alongside them with practical support that helps them live with greater confidence and peace of mind.

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About Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Etiqa Insurance Singapore)

Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (EIPL) is a life and general insurance company licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and governed by the Insurance Act 1966. Having protected customers in Singapore since 1961 under the name United General Insurance Co. Sdn. Bhd., the company transitioned into the Singapore branch of Etiqa Insurance Berhad in 2009. Today, EIPL in Singapore stands as the pivotal operating entity of Etiqa Insurance Group, a leading insurance and takaful provider in ASEAN.

EIPL offers a comprehensive range of life and general insurance products accessible through its diverse distribution channels, including bancassurance, agents, brokers, financial advisers, partnerships, direct and online sales via Tiq by Etiqa. Etiqa is rated ‘A’ by credit rating agency Fitch for the group’s ‘Favorable’ business profile. EIPL is owned by Maybank Ageas Holdings Berhad, a joint venture combining local market expertise with international insurance knowledge, with 69% ownership by Maybank, the fourth largest banking group in Southeast Asia, and 31% by Ageas, an international insurance group operating across 13 countries.