Articles

Relocating to a new and inevitably diferent country brings along a multitude of different experiences and challenges. Not only do we need to get to grips with leaving behind everything which is familiar to us but we have to adjsut to new routines and the lack of assistance from close friends and family members.

As a result a lot of expat families welcome on board new member to the household- the invaluable helper/maid. For whatever reason we chose to engage the help of a maid, we must ensure that with her vast contribution to the family we are happy she is fully aware of our expectations as far as her own and our families health and safety is concerened. In most cases she will be cooking, ironing, cleaning windows, wetting floors, changing gas bottles, for example all of which create danger and there maybe toddlers and young children around at the same time without other adults in the house. So safety and level headed thinkinf is paramount. They should be trained in what to do when things do go wrong because they will to a greater or lesser extent at some point!

Health/Exercise and Diet

Spending time talking to your helpers about their own health, exercise and dietary requirements will ensure that you are not only helping her to remain fit and healthy but also ensure that she is aware of your own views regarding your family’s health. Some helpers will be reticient to ask for their dietary requirements to be added to the weekly shop, or they may feel that they do not want to trouble you with any health issues. Stating your total acceptance to listen from the onset will prevent silences further down the track, which could be a problem. Employees need to be prepared to ask- the cultures where the maids originate may mean that information is not volunteered.

Dangers in The Home

The home is a minefield when it comes to ‘accidents waiting to happen’. Although we are ultimately responsible for the safety of our homes it is often a good to go through the home together with your helper looking at potential hazards. These change as our children grow but with guidance our new member to the home can help alleviate any unnecessary accidents from occuring.

Ensure that you buy first aid kits, smoke alarms, fire extinguisher and fire blankets etc and that she is familiar with how to use them and crucially that she knows where they are all kept. Also would she understand what the ‘bleeping’ noise on the fire alarm is indicating? (If you would like any guidance on what to have in your home and where to obtain them in Singapore please contact Anne, our First Aid provider, on 9227 774 and she will help you with this.)

Prevention is always better than cure!!

Courses in Singapore

Singapore has an abudance of courses available for your helper. These are intended to help take the presure off you and help her deal with all new responsibilities They range from swimming lessons, food preparationa and menus, playing with your children, and first aid courses. Many helpers cannot swim, please find out if this is the case before leaving them in charge of your precious bundle by the poolside.

First Aid Courses

First Aid Tuition Pte Ltd offers courses at Body With Soul Total Healthcare Network which concentrates on what to do as well as ‘what not to do’ in emergencies. The Philippines it is very normal for burns to have toothpaste spread on them, do you want this to happen to your child’s burn when left in her care?

Courses are conducted in 4 hours and will cover everything from choking, drowning, to cuts, burns, allergies, bites etc. Please check our Body with Soul website for the dates of upcoming courses.

Courses are also available for parents new to Singapore. You may be aware of the first aid practices for bleeding but would you know what to do if bitten by snake?

Employing a helper can be very daunting especially if it is the first time. However by taking time to explain your family’s views regarding health and safety and providing her with all the necessary knowledge you can help her to be more responsible in your home.

Anne Greetham
First Aid Tuition Pte Ltd
anne@firstaidtuition.com

Please call 6779 0660 or email enquiries@bodywithsoul.com for more information