Child safety comes before household work. Stop the other task and give the child your full attention whenever there is a risk of choking, falling, burning, drowning or other immediate harm.
Use active supervision
Active supervision means watching closely enough to respond immediately. Do not leave an infant or toddler alone in a bath, near water, on a bed or changing surface, in a high chair, near a hot appliance, or with a small or rigid object in the mouth.
When toothbrushing, eating or playing with an object that may injure the mouth or throat, remain nearby and do not turn to another task. Remove the object safely before moving away.
Frustration is a signal to ask for help
Crying, disrupted sleep and repeated behaviour can be tiring. Violence is never an acceptable response. Do not bite, pinch, shake, slap, push, threaten or frighten a child. If you feel you may lose control, place the child in the employer-approved safe cot or playpen, step back briefly and call the employer.
Tell the employer early if insufficient rest, unclear instructions or an unmanageable combination of childcare and housework is affecting safe care. Problems should be discussed before they become emergencies.
If an accident happens
- Call the employer immediately and follow the household emergency plan.
- Call 995 when a child has difficulty breathing, is unresponsive or needs urgent medical assistance.
- Do not give food, drink or an unapproved remedy to a choking or injured child.
- Explain exactly what happened and when. Accurate information helps medical responders.
Two Singapore cases that show why these rules matter
Close supervision: The Straits Times reported a case in which a two-year-old required hospital treatment after a toothbrush became lodged in the child’s throat when the caregiver turned away. Read the report about the negligent act and toothbrush injury.
Responding to frustration: In another case, a helper was jailed after biting and pinching an 11-month-old baby when the child would not sleep. Read The Straits Times report.
Employers share responsibility for a safe routine
Employers should demonstrate feeding, bathing, sleeping and emergency routines instead of assuming they are understood. Provide emergency contacts, explain allergies and medical needs, maintain reasonable rest and workload arrangements, and invite the helper to raise concerns without fear.