HDB residents are reminded that placing food offerings, joss sticks, or burning paper alongside corridors and staircases violates fire safety regulations during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
The 7th Lunar Month, commonly known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, is an important cultural observance in Singapore. During this time, Taoists and Buddhists believe the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to roam the physical area to seek food and respite. Families typically set up ritual offerings of food, such as roasted pork and fruits, and burn hell bank notes along with paper paraphernalia to provide comfort to spirits and ancestors. These customs are deeply rooted in local tradition, often leading residents to set up small altars outside their doors.
However, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Town Councils have implemented strict guidelines to maintain public safety and estate cleanliness. Placing food offerings and joss sticks outside an HDB flat’s doors and corridors is explicitly prohibited. Common corridors, staircases, and landing areas serve as primary emergency evacuation routes. Obstructing these spaces with offering tables, joss stick holders, or food trays creates significant hazards, including the risk of tripping and potential fire spread.
Offerings must be placed on raised, stable trays at designated ground-level spaces. Devotees are urged to clear away food offerings and candle stubs immediately after prayers to prevent attracting pests and creating litter. The practice of sticking joss sticks and candles directly into grass turf or lining them along footpaths is also strictly forbidden. Such actions damage landscaping, leave unsightly wax stains, and pose safety risks for pedestrians and town council cleaners.
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Burning Restrictions and Fire Safety
Burning joss paper outside an HDB flat door, along common corridors, or on staircase landings—even in small personal steel urns—violates fire safety regulations. Smoke and flying ash drift directly into neighboring units, damaging property and creating severe respiratory hazards. Fire safety officers have observed this issue frequently, noting that the materials used in paper offerings burn with intense heat that can easily ignite nearby furniture or curtains.
Burning must be done exclusively at ground level using designated Town Council incineration bins or eco-friendly burners provided throughout the estate. This ensures that any accidental fires are contained and that smoke is managed effectively. Residents who witness unsafe practices, such as open burning along common corridors or unattended fires, can make official reports through the relevant channels.
Enforcing these rules helps ensure that the festival’s traditions do not compromise the safety or comfort of the wider community. By adhering to these guidelines, residents can participate in cultural observances while keeping their neighborhoods safe and accessible for everyone.
