5 Emergency Situations In Singapore You Should Be Prepared For

Now that we're spending more time at home and on the Internet, it's a good time to get ourselves prepared for any emergency situation that might happen in Singapore.

Keep reading to find out the five emergencies that you should start researching on!

#1 Car accidents

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This is especially important for young and new drivers who probably have no idea what to do. You only need to call the police at 999 in the case of fatalities, pedestrians or cyclists, hit-and-run cases, injuries where the victim is taken to the hospital, damage to government property and foreign vehicles.

If your car accident doesn't involve any of those, all you have to do is to note the date, time and location, take pictures of the accident scene and save a copy of your dashboard camera footage. Then, get the other driver's details including his or her full name, NRIC number, phone number, address and insurance details. After that, report the accident to your insurance company. If the other driver starts picking a fight or blaming you, just know that you can ignore them and leave once you have the evidence and the drivers details.

#2 Medical emergencies

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We've seen the dramatic life-saving moments in movies and tv shows but many of us probably would have no idea what to do when a passerby has a medical emergency.

Besides doing research on common medical emergencies like fainting, bleeding, seizures and heart attacks, you can also take up a first aid and CPR/AED courses that are offered by various organisations in Singapore once the COVID-19 situation is over. They usually only take a few hours of your time and you will be able to give immediate care to an ill or injured person until the ambulance arrives.

#3 Fire

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Everyone knows the basics of a fire drill like evacuating via the stairs, dialling 995 and the stop, drop and roll move if your clothes catch fire. But when a real fire breaks out, it might be difficult to stay calm and act accordingly.

There are also some common knowledge facts that we might forget in the moment. For example, you might forget that you can't use water to extinguish fire on flammable liquids like oil as that will cause it to spread.

Research on the detailed protocol of a fire so you'll know exactly what to do. You can find detailed information on the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Civil Defence Emergency Handbook. The next time you're idling by a fire extinguisher or hose reel, read the instructions on it so you can act immediately if you ever need to use it.

#4 Flood

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While Singapore hasn't had floods in a while, there's no harm in preparing for this emergency.

According to Public Utilities Board (PUB) Singapore, you should not walk through moving water as just 15cm of moving water can make you fall. Do not drive into flooded areas as 30cm of water may stall your car and 60cm of water can carry away most vehicles. If floodwater rises around your car and stalls it, leave it and move to higher ground.

#5 Unemployment

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This is particularly poignant in these times. It's unpleasant to consider, but we never know when we might lose our jobs. Scrambling to think of how to pay for bills and basic necessities only after being unemployed is a situation that no one wants to be in.

Keep track of your spending and always have a cash reserve that will cover your basic expenses for at least three to six months. Check out some of the best cashback apps and savings accounts in Singapore to start saving!

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Text by: GirlStyle SG