Safety is one of the most asked topic that I have encountered in my years of student recruitment is safety. Every parent wants to ensure that their child is safe while studying or travelling to a new country.
If you are looking to send your child to a country within Asia, look no further than Singapore.
Now how did the World Population Review arrive at this conclusion? They took data from all over the world and found the common attributes of the world’s safest countries include high levels of education, wealth, effective criminal justice systems,social welfare and positive government-citizen relationships.
Safest Countries in 2024:
- Iceland; GPI 2023: 1.124
- Denmark; GPI 2023: 1.310
- Ireland; GPI 2023: 1.312
- New Zealand; GPI 2023: 1.313
- Austria; GPI 2023: 1.316
- Singapore; GPI 2023: 1.332
- Portugal; GPI 2023: 1.333
- Slovenia; GPI 2023: 1.334
- Japan; GPI 2023: 1.336
- Switzerland; GPI 2023: 1.339
Now this does not mean that you should be walking around late into the night. Like every country I have been to, it is always important to stay vigilant of your surroundings no matter how safe a country claims to be.
Here are 6 tips on how to stay safe while you are in Singapore.
1. Google Maps
Download Google Maps onto your mobile phone. This app shows realtime movement of the busses in Singapore. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve caught the bus, down to the arrival minute because of Google maps. Never miss your bus ever again and it points you to the right direction every single time.
Download the app for Iphones or Androids
2. Grab
Although Grab may be more expensive compared to public transportation, I would recommend taking a booked car/taxi if its late into the night.
This is because Grab allows you to track your route in progress as well as a share widget within the app that allows your friends and family to track your moves in real time. (regardless where they are in the world)
3. Avoid being scammed
Recently the scam rates have increased in Singapore, whereby automated/real time calls will be made claiming to be from your bank or from immigration. Remember do not give out your personal information to anyone, and check with your banks or your Immigration Checkpoint Apps (If they call to say your student/tourist visa has expired) if you suspect anything fishy with the call.
Right thing to do is say thank you very much. I will call xxx later to verify, and hang up.
You can always call the number at the back of your card if you suspect you might have been scammed and report any suspicious activities/purchases on your card.
I remember when I was travelling and there were suspicious transactions happening back home in Singapore. I immediately called the bank, they confirm that my card has been duplicated and terminated it immediately. They then filed a report to dispute with the sellers/operators of items bought on my card. Within 7 days, money was returned thankfully.
4. Redact your address and phone numbers
I know this sounds silly. What could anyone do about my address and phone number right? You will be surprised with the vicious things some people may resort to.
Always redact/ scribble whatever you can do to ensure your address and phone number is non visible on any parcels or letters you may receive before throwing them away.
While I was on holiday, someone whatsapp’ed my phone to ask me if I was staying at xxxx. Thinking it was our neighbour or something had happened to our house, I replied. Then came the threat calls claiming I owed them money. They knew my name, they knew where I lived and if I didn’t pay, I needed to watch my back.
Shaken, I blocked the number, reported online to the police here and for the next 5 weeks, I was hypervigilant about my surroundings and was assigned a case officer who was kind enough to give me some scenarios on how this could have happened.
Fortunately nothing bad happened. It was just another scammer. However for some people who may be new to the country, this is a scary situation to be in. My advise, stay calm, the police will investigate.
5. Be nice
One of the recommended ways to be safe in Singapore is to be nice. Nice to your neighbours, the cleaning personnel in your building, the security guard, the lady at the hawker where you buy your chicken rice everyday.
People in Singapore are generally very kind and will happily watch out for any suspicious behaviours within the neighbourhood or assist you if you feel unsafe.
6. Whatsapp buddy: Check-in
Create a whatsapp group with family, friends or colleagues or any individual you trust. Let’s call them whatsapp buddy/ buddies. Ask if they wouldn’t mind if you texted them daily that to let them know you are home safe. You could use a code word or just the word “safe”.
Ask for your whatsapp buddy/buddies to call you by a certain time if they have not heard from you that day or let them know you will be back by xxx time today and will check in.
If you are forgetful like me, set a daily reminder at xxx time so that you remember to send this important text daily.
This is a great habit I developed when travelling alone and it gives my loved ones a sense of relief once you are safe at home from school/work/your day travelling around.
How to Singapore 