The "Hong Kong Guide" 2021 edition produced by the Lands Department (LandsD) goes on sale today (January 25), while the new electronic map book "e-HongKongGuide" is also available online.
 
     With the theme "Maps in a New Era", the "Hong Kong Guide" 2021 edition introduces some features of digital maps in a new age. Changes in the way of life over time have transformed the practice of asking passers-by for directions into an option of tapping on the search button. Equipped with diverse search functions, mobile maps nowadays encompass a wide array of geographic information. Be it a searching for locations, community facilities, traffic routes or means of public transport, a smartphone in hand enables access to a wealth of information on everyday life at our fingertips, without any need to set foot elsewhere.
 
     The new 432-page "Hong Kong Guide" provides detailed maps of Hong Kong with indexes of streets, places and villages, estates and buildings, schools, public services, and leisure and cultural facilities, as well as information on public transportation. The streets and places and villages indexes can serve as gazetteers for names of streets and geographical places in Hong Kong.
 
     A collection of maps in GeoPDF format, the "e-HongKongGuide" can be read by desktop computers and applications on mobile devices in an offline mode. By using free tools available on the web, users can read coordinates, track positions using a GPS device, search coordinates, search text and information, add personalised images and geographic information, and share them with friends.
 
     The "Hong Kong Guide" 2021 edition, priced at $93, is available at all LandsD Survey and Mapping (SMO) sales outlets, the General Post Office, Kowloon Central Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Mong Kok Post Office, Kwun Tong Post Office, Tuen Mun Central Post Office, designated local bookstores and the SMO’s online map shop (www.hkmapservice.gov.hk). Information on the SMO's sales outlets is available at www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/pro&ser/outlet.htm. For enquiries, call 2231 3187.
 
     The "e-HongKongGuide" is now available for browsing and for free downloading at the LandsD’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/download/ehkg.htm).

        

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department today (January 25) urged the public to stop using a model of Belkin charger (model number WIZ003; serial numbers of the affected batches are shown below) and contact the local supplier of the product, Belkin Asia Pacific Limited, for product returns and refunds.
 

 
     According to the supplier of the product, a manufacturing defect was found in the concerned model of power supply unit, which might cause the charger to malfunction and overheat, posing fire and electric shock hazards. The supplier has therefore decided to arrange a recall with full refunds for these batches of the product.
 
     The model of charger concerned was on sale in Hong Kong from July 2020. Those who have purchased chargers of the aforementioned model number should call the service hotline of the product supplier, at 800 905 388 (Cantonese, with service hours from 9am to 5.30pm) or 800 962 100 (English, with 24-hour service), to confirm whether their chargers are in the affected batches, and arrange product returns and refunds accordingly.

     Belkin Asia Pacific Limited has announced the return details for the affected batches of the product on their website (www.belkin.com/WIZ003ProductRecall) and will contact the affected local customers via email to explain the arrangement of the product recall issue.

      

     Firing practice will take place at two military sites, namely the San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range and the Tsing Shan Firing Range, next month (February 2021).
      
     Red flags or red lamps will be hoisted at the firing areas before and during firing practice. For their safety, people are advised not to enter the firing area.
      
     Following are the dates and times for the firing practice sessions in February 2021:
 
San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range
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Tsing Shan Firing Range
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     Hong Kong Customs today (January 25) alerted members of the public to a potential falling hazard posed by one unsafe model of plastic folding stool. Traders should remove the product from their shelves. Members of the public should stop using the product as well.

     Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of a suspected unsafe model of plastic folding stool in the market. Customs officers immediately conducted an investigation and test-purchased that model of plastic folding stool from a retailer in Sau Mau Ping for safety testing. Upon examination by a laboratory, it was revealed that the plastic folding stool could not pass the under load test, which would pose a falling risk to users. The stool therefore failed to comply with the general safety requirements of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO). 

     Customs officers later conducted an operation and seized one suspected unsafe plastic folding stool of the same model from the retailer concerned. A prohibition notice was also served on the retailer to prohibit the continued sale of the product. 

     Beyond the retailer in connection with the case, Customs officers also conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and found no such product for sale so far. 

     Investigation is ongoing.
     
     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing and using plastic folding stool products:
 

• Check the stability of the plastic folding stool after unfolding it;
• Sit down lightly first when using the plastic folding stool and stop using it if the stability of the product is in doubt; 
• Use the plastic folding stool properly and avoid sitting towards one side of the stool;
• Do not allow children to play with the product; and
• Do not let unsupervised children use the product.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers.

     Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirement for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Customs has been combating consistently the sale of products that fall short of the CGSO. Law enforcement action will be taken immediately if any violation of the CGSO is detected. 

     Members of the public with information relating to unsafe consumer goods may make a report via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.