Residents at a HDB block in Woodlands have raised concerns after a resident with an amputated leg was seen charging his personal mobility aid (PMA) along a public corridor, citing fears of a potential fire hazard.
A netizen lodged a complaint with STOMP, claiming that for about a year, a resident had been charging a PMA along the second floor corridor of Block 857 at Woodlands Street 83, raising safety concerns among neighbours.
When Shin Min Daily News visited the location, two PMAs were seen parked along the corridor, with one of them plugged in and charging.
The PMA owner, a 68-year-old retired uncle, told reporters that he had his leg amputated about six months ago. He also suffers from asthma, which makes walking difficult and requires him to rely on a PMA for daily mobility.
He said a friend gave him the PMA last year after learning about his breathing difficulties. At the time, he would ride it to his workplace to charge.
However, in March this year, the uncle developed a bacterial infection and had to undergo surgery to remove his left leg. He has since been unable to work.
Due to his limited mobility, the uncle said he is unable to push the PMA into his flat. As a result, he began charging it along the corridor from June.
In November, he was given a second, smaller PMA.
“I need to charge it once or twice a week, and each charge takes about four to six hours,” he said. “I usually do it during the day, stay at home the whole time, and check on it every half an hour to an hour.”
The uncle also clarified that neither PMA had been modified and that both use original batteries.
He added that he received a letter from the town council last Tuesday, reminding him that charging PMAs along the corridor is not allowed.
According to the uncle, his children had previously explained his situation to the town council. After receiving the letter, they followed up again to seek clarification.
A neighbour who declined to be named said she sympathised with the uncle’s situation but stressed that safety must come first.
“If the PMA is approved by the authorities and has not been modified, it should be safe,” she said. “But the owner still needs to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all residents.”
Town council aware of situation and has spoken to uncle involved
In response, Sembawang Town Council told Shin Min Daily News that it is aware of the situation at the block.
The town council said its estate management team had earlier engaged the resident and issued the necessary warnings regarding the mobility aid and potted plants placed along the parapet walls.
It added that the resident has been advised to remove the plants and that the situation will continue to be monitored.
