Stay safe at home, while you stay home

By the team at Speedoc,
 
April 29, 2020

Singapore is in its fourth week of circuit breaker measures, the new halfway mark after an extension of the circuit breaker was announced. With indication that there could be undetected cases in the community, the best course of action right now is to continue staying home to keep yourself and your family safe.

However, this does not mean that you can let your guard down. You could still get hurt at home, so precautions should be taken to prevent the common household injuries.

What are some common household injuries?

  1. Falls. Falling is common for seniors and could lead to serious consequences. 1 out of 3 elderly Singaporeans suffer from recurring falls, and many falls happen at home. Slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or objects on the floor are all hazards that should be removed. If you have young children at home, extra caution needs to be taken so they do not trip and fall while playing and running at home. Make sure to pick up stray objects lying around the floor, or secure carpets and rugs so that you do not trip over their edges.

  1. Cuts and burns. Have you been spending more time in the kitchen, whipping up dishes like rice cooker muah chee, dalgona coffee, or baking bread? Even for the most experienced cook, cuts or burns can still happen if you are not careful. If you get a cut, immediately apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding and rinse the wound under running water. If the cut is deep and bleeding doesn’t stop, continue applying pressure and seek medical care immediately.

It is easy for burns to occur around the house, from spilling a cup of hot tea or coffee to oil splatters from a frying pan. Hold the burned area under cool water and apply a burn ointment or lotion. For severe burns or pain, medical attention might be needed.

  1. Falling objects. While an incident like a tree falling through the roof may not be as likely in Singapore, objects like heavy appliances or suitcases stored on higher points in the home might fall and hit someone standing below. Especially for families with children, falling objects pose a great danger. While konmari-ing your home, keep a lookout for objects above you and make sure to secure them so that they will not fall off.

  2. Glass-related injuries. Broken glass is extremely dangerous as they could cause deep cuts, and tiny broken pieces can be hard to see and pick up. Always place glass items on a flat, stable surface away from the edge so that they will not drop onto the floor by accident. If you break a bowl or vase, put on thick gloves to carefully pick up the bigger pieces and use a broom or vacuum cleaner to sweep up the smaller shards.

  3. Sprains and other exercise-related injuries. It is important to stay active and clock at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, even while staying home. Exercising helps to keep both your body and mind light, so that you can beat the staying-home blues. Sprains or muscle pulls could occur, especially when you have to navigate around the furniture in your home.

What can you do to prevent such injuries?

  1. Work within your limits. Do not attempt to lift heavy objects on your own; since everyone in the house is home, ask for help! Do not overexert yourself while working out and always ensure that you have sufficient space for your workout. When retrieving an object on a high cabinet, use a stool or step ladder.

  2. Optimize your tools. Cuts are most often due to a blunt knife. Sharpening your knives, especially if you have been using them for quite some time, gives you more control and prevents injuries by reducing the chances of your knife slipping.

  3. Secure your surroundings. Take extra care to ensure floors are dry, fix shaky tables and chairs, and use double sided tape or screws to secure items on higher surfaces. If you have children at home, use corner protectors to cover sharp edges on furniture. Pinch guards can also be used on doors to prevent fingers from getting caught between doors.

How can Speedoc help?

  1. Home visits. The last thing you want to do right now is to visit a clinic and risk a crowded environment. This does not mean that you should delay seeking medical attention. Why not let a doctor come to you instead then? You can request for a doctor home visit on the Speedoc app, or call/WhatsApp us at our hotline, [+65 8180 8948](tel:+6581808948]. A Singapore-licensed GP will provide a consultation in the comfort of your home, and prescribe medication or any follow-up services according to your condition.

  2. A&E services. Our licensed nurses and doctors can go to your home to help dress wounds, stitch up injuries, apply bandages for any sprains, administer IV drips, and more.

  3. Advice on securing your home. If you have an elderly family member living with you, it is especially important to ensure that your home is obstacle-free so that it is safe for the elderly to move about. Our nurse can conduct a home visit to provide advice on modifications to the home to make it safer for elderly members.

Keep Speedoc handy, like your home first-aid kit. Bookmark our online booking system, download our app on the App Store or Google Play Store, and save our hotline, [+65 8180 8948](tel:+6581808948] into your contacts.