If a PMD, e-bike or power bank is smoking or on fire in your flat, get everyone away from it, leave, and call 995. To prevent it, use only certified devices, charge with the original charger, never charge overnight or unattended, and never on a bed or sofa. That is PMD fire safety Punggol homes need most.
The good news: fires involving active mobility devices fell by more than a quarter in 2025, and the habits that matter most can be changed tonight.
This page is part of eduKate Punggol’s Essential Information for Punggol, our quick answers and where-to-go lists for everyday life in Punggol. It covers how to check that a device is legal and certified, how to charge safely in an HDB flat, the warning signs of a failing battery, and where to get rid of old devices.
Quick answer
- Fire or smoke: call 995. Our home fire and evacuation guide covers escape steps.
- E-scooters: must be UL2272-certified, with the mark on the device itself. Since 1 June 2026, even keeping a non-UL2272 e-scooter is an offence.
- E-bikes (power-assisted bicycles): must meet EN15194, be type-approved, sealed and registered, with a rear number plate.
- Charging: original charger only, stay nearby while it charges, unplug when full, and keep it off beds, sofas and blankets.
- Power banks: they carry no SAFETY Mark in Singapore, so buy from reputable sellers and look for over-charge, short-circuit and over-temperature protection.
- Disposal: power banks go in ALBA E-Bins. Non-compliant PMDs go to an LTA-listed recycler or an ALBA–Town Council collection drive.
Where to Dispose of PMDs, E-Bikes and Batteries from Punggol
Old batteries should never go into the general rubbish or the blue recycling bin. For small items, use an E-Bin. For a whole e-scooter or e-bike, every LTA-listed recycler is in Tuas, so the estate collection drives are usually the easier option. LTA notes that recyclers may charge a fee.
| Where | Address | Hours (checked October 2026) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBA E-Bins | Various locations; find the nearest on the ALBA bin locator. | See the locator for each bin. | Power banks in the middle slot of 3-in-1 bins (if they fit the 500mm x 250mm slot), and loose batteries. No purchase needed at store bins. |
| ALBA–Town Council collection drives | In the estate; dates on ALBA’s collection events page. | Quarterly. LTA says extra drives are planned for November 2026 to January 2027 (check live). | Non-compliant PMDs and PABs, plus other e-waste. |
| ALBA E-Waste Smart Recycling | 20 Tuas Loop, Singapore 637350 | Weekdays 9am–6pm | Tel 3105 1608. PMD and PAB queries: contact.ewaste@albagroup.asia. |
| Cimelia Resource Recovery | 99 Tuas Bay Drive, Singapore 637426 | Weekdays 8.30am–6pm | Tel 6898 0808. LTA-listed recycler. |
| Metalo International | 110 Tuas South Avenue 3, The Index #03-11, Singapore 637369 | Weekdays 9am–5.30pm; Sat 9am–5pm | Tel 6251 7855. The only listed recycler open on Saturdays. |
| KGS Pte Ltd | 8 Tuas South Lane #01-71, Singapore 637302 | Weekdays 9.30am–6pm | Tel 6950 7630. LTA-listed recycler. |
| Virogreen (Singapore) | 31 Tuas Avenue 11, Singapore 639105 | Weekdays 9am–4pm | Tel 6451 0665. LTA-listed recycler. |
Hours were checked in October 2026. Confirm on LTA’s active mobility rules page, which lists the recyclers, before you make the trip. LTA and ALBA said details of the stepped-up drives would be released in October 2026, so check ALBA’s events page for Punggol dates.
Which Rules Apply to Your Device
You own an e-scooter
It must be UL2272-certified and on LTA’s list, weigh no more than 20kg, be no wider than 70cm, and go no faster than 25km/h. Registered e-scooters need an inspection every two years. Being on LTA’s list is not enough: the device itself must carry a recognised certification mark from UL, CSA, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland or TÜV SÜD PSB. Look under the footboard, usually beside the model number.
You ride an e-bike
Power-assisted bicycles must meet EN15194, weigh no more than 20kg, cut the motor by 25km/h, and be type-approved, sealed and registered at an LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre with a rear plate.
Someone at home uses a mobility aid
LTA advises owners of motorised PMDs, PABs and personal mobility aids alike to avoid non-original batteries, which may pose fire risks. Separate path rules changed on 1 June 2026 too, including a 6km/h limit for mobility aids on paths.
It is just phones, laptops and power banks
The same lithium-ion habits apply. The charging steps below work for every rechargeable device in the flat, from a child’s tablet to a handheld fan.
How to Charge Safely in an HDB Flat
- Check the marks. UL2272 on e-scooters, EN15194 on e-bikes. Chargers and power adapters fall under a separate safety scheme, and compliant models carry the SAFETY Mark. LTA does not regulate PMD charging itself.
- Use the original charger and battery. SCDF and LTA both warn against non-original batteries.
- Charge while you are awake and nearby. SCDF advises against leaving batteries or devices charging unattended for long periods or overnight.
- Choose a hard surface. Never charge on a bed, under a pillow or blanket, or on a sofa.
- Unplug when full. Do not charge for longer than the maker recommends.
- Inspect the battery. If it is swollen, very hot, smelly, leaking, discoloured or damaged, stop using and charging it.
- Never modify or repair it yourself. Modified batteries and devices are a known fire risk.
- Store power banks sensibly. Keep them cool and dry, and away from coins and keys, which can short the ports.
Why This Matters: the Numbers and the New Law
SCDF’s 2025 figures show active mobility device fires fell 26.9%, from 67 to 49. E-bike fires dropped from 31 to 12, but PMD fires rose from 25 to 31. Overall residential fires went up from 968 to 1,051. LTA says most PMD fires involve non-UL2272 or illegally modified e-scooters.
That is why the law tightened. From 1 June 2026, keeping a non-UL2272 e-scooter is an offence. First-time individual offenders face a fine of up to $2,000, up to three months’ jail, or both; others face fines of up to $4,000. LTA will seize verified non-UL2272 e-scooters. If you still have one at home, the collection drives are your cue.
On cost, you do not need to buy anything to use a store E-Bin. LTA says recyclers may charge to take a PMD, but no amount is published, so ask before you go.
Neighbour’s Tips for Battery Safety in Punggol
- Charge after dinner, not after bedtime. Plug in when you get home, unplug before you sleep. It fits the SCDF advice without changing your routine much.
- Check under the pillow. Children and teens love charging phones in bed. A small charging spot on a desk or shelf solves it.
- Be wary of cheap replacement batteries. A non-original battery bought online is exactly what the authorities warn about.
- Tape before you drop. Cover battery terminals with tape, wrap each battery separately, and seal a leaking one in a leak-proof bag before it goes in an E-Bin.
- Keep batteries out of the Bloobox. Blue recycling bins are not for batteries. Our recycling at home guide explains what goes where.
- Test your smoke alarm. A working alarm buys time if anything goes wrong. See our home smoke alarm check.
- Look for the stepped-up drives. If an old e-scooter is gathering dust in the store room, the November 2026 to January 2027 drives are the easiest way out. Check ALBA’s events page for Punggol dates.
If It Is Urgent
- Fire, smoke, or a battery swelling quickly: move everyone away, leave the flat, and call 995.
- Someone has a burn or breathed in smoke and is seriously unwell: call 995. For non-urgent ambulance transport, see our Punggol ambulance contacts guide.
- Escape routes and alarms: our 995 and evacuation guide is the place to read before anything happens.
- A battery that is hot or swollen but not burning: stop charging it, unplug it if it is safe to do so, and do not use it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to keep a non-UL2272 e-scooter at home?
Yes, since 1 June 2026. First-time individual offenders face up to $2,000 in fines, up to three months’ jail, or both.
How do I check whether my e-scooter is UL2272-certified?
Look for a recognised certification mark on the device itself, usually under the footboard with the model number. LTA says being on its list is not enough without the mark.
Can I charge my PMD overnight?
SCDF advises against it. Charge while you are awake and nearby, and unplug when the battery is full.
Do power banks have a SAFETY Mark?
No. Power banks are not issued the SAFETY Mark and need no registration before sale. Buy from reputable sellers and choose models with built-in protection features.
Where do I throw away an old power bank in Punggol?
In the middle slot of an ALBA 3-in-1 E-Bin, at an estate collection drive, or through a retailer take-back scheme. Use the ALBA locator to find the nearest bin.
How do I get rid of an old e-scooter?
Take it to an LTA-listed recycler, all of which are in Tuas, or to an ALBA–Town Council collection drive. Recyclers may charge a fee.
More Help on eduKate Punggol
- Haze or home fire? Smoke alarms, 995 and evacuation.
- Home smoke alarm (HFAD) check
- Emergency numbers, fire safety, floods, haze, dengue and scams
- Kick scooters for kids: LTA path rules and helmets.
- Punggol’s smart fire station: the story behind it.
- Official: LTA UL2272 FAQ · CPSO power bank safety tips · ALBA E-Bin locator
Safe Charging, Safe Home
Certified device, original charger, hard surface, awake and nearby, unplugged when full. Make those five a habit and you have covered the mistakes the authorities warn about most. And if an old e-scooter is lurking in the store room, the November 2026 to January 2027 collection drives are a good time to let it go.
And if your family is also looking for calm, small-group English, Mathematics or Science, eduKate Punggol teaches classes of three in Punggol. Come find out more: Book a consultation · Chat on WhatsApp
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Checked October 2026. Addresses, opening hours, fees and rules change, so please confirm with the official source before you go.
