Well, that’s it for 2022. As the year closes, the boys and girls at SIXiDES once again take a look at the trends – what people loved (or didn’t) in 2022. Turns out, according to our brightest and brainiest, Singaporeans didn’t enjoy falling ceilings or fires at home. But there’s a lot more than just those things to worry about at home.

On a global scale, about 55% of all accidental deaths happen at home. Considering that not so long ago, when most of humanity was locked-up at home, it’s almost a miracle that mankind hasn’t been driven halfway to extinction. That said, here’s a few more safety tips by rooms to keep yourself and your loved ones from becoming another statistic.

Kitchens

The heart of any home but also known to be the biggest hazard too. Talk about a love hate relationship. However, keep these tips in mind and you can enjoy it to its fullest.

Slips and Falls

THE most prominent kind of accident at home is made worse when you’ve got a tiled floor (which home doesn’t?!). Just keep the floor nice and dry and nobody has to get hurt, capisce?

Cuts

What’s a kitchen without knives? You’ve got to have them. But with sharp knives comes accidents too in the form of extremely curious little fingers. Store them. With kids, if it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.

Burns and Scalds

Unless you’ve come up with a way to cook without heat, this will be a concern you’ll have to be mindful of. Teach kids (both mental and biological ones) that the kitchen is NOT a play space. And always, ALWAYS pay attention to your cooking. Netflix can wait.

Poisoning

It’s not just about bad cooking. Don’t save food for long. Be religious about clearing out the fridge. Remember: Hokkien mee isn’t like wine; it does not get better with age.

Living Rooms

Trips and Falls

Rugs and carpets are great at making places looking larger and more alive but not so great at keeping people on their feet. These things are trip hazards. Tape down carpets wherever you can. 

Other fall hazards are kids. More specifically, they’re toys. Ever had a Lego piece embedded into your feet? Ensure that you have storage solutions that they can always use to keep stuff off the floor.

Furniture

Just because most furniture is heavy doesn’t mean they don’t ever fall. Many have been hurt and killed by falling furniture. Why else do you think every IKEA furniture comes with a wall fastener? Those teeny tiny things save lives. Specifically, the lives of little kids and pets that like to climb.

Poisoning

Like any good femme fatale, some plants are pretty but deadly. Plants like peace lilies and ZZ plants can be pretty toxic when ingested. Guess who might eat them? 10 points for you if you guessed kids and pets.

Bathrooms

Slips and Falls

Every bathroom has tile flooring so you know the drill. Keep. Them. Dry. Especially more so because they tend to get very wet, very quickly. Who knew?

Also, think bathmats. Especially near the shower. Otherwise you’ll just be flooding the place after every shower.

Scalds

Got a fancy water heater? Hope you got a good one. And hope you’ve got it set just right. Because, if you’re not careful, you’re nice relaxing hot shower might turn into a soup cooking show.

Electrocution

Hair drying is a fact of life in bathrooms. Store them far FAR away from any shower and bathtub in a nice, secure spot. Electric baths have not caught on as a new therapeutic range for a reason. 

Moving on... to 2023

So, that’s it. Now that you’re smarter and all set, sit back and enjoy your home, safe and secure. Time to grab a glass of [insert favourite beverage here] and party until it’s 2023!

Posted on 30 December 2022

Kenny Tan,

SIXiDES Editorial Team