SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has launched a new Civil Defence Emergency Handbook that will teach people what to do in the event of an emergency.

The SCDF also launched on Saturday the Mobile Tremorlator that was co-developed by students from the Singapore Polytechnic.

The new Mobile Tremorlator simulates tremors in a home setting and it is used to teach residents the correct measures to adopt when a tremor is felt.

The SCDF said the invention will be featured at future emergency preparedness exercises.

A handbook on dealing with other hazards was also launched. The sixth edition will be given out to one million households by the end of the year.

Second Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, said: "We did a survey in 2006, and about 44 per cent had read our handbook. So it's a fair guess that the number who were prepared would be less than that."

The SCDF hopes these efforts will help to promote an "ever-ready" mindset among the public. - CNA/vm