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Published on 14 Nov 2025 by Imu S.
Employing a domestic helper can make daily life much smoother, but ensuring the safety of your helper should always be a top priority. Some household chores, while seemingly simple, can carry hidden risks, especially tasks involving heights or unstable surfaces. As an employer, it’s important to set clear boundaries, conduct safety checks, and provide proper guidance so your helper can work confidently and safely.
Safe vs. high-risk tasks
Not all chores carry the same level of risk. Understanding which tasks are safe and which require caution can prevent accidents at home:
Safe tasks
- Indoor cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors
- Laundry: washing, drying, ironing
- Kitchen work: cooking, dishwashing, wiping surfaces
- Organising and tidying rooms
High-risk tasks
- Cleaning exterior windows, especially in high-rise buildings
- Standing on chairs, stools, or ladders for cleaning
- Handling heavy or unstable furniture without assistance
- Accessing rooftops or balconies without proper safety measures
Tip: Tasks involving heights should always be avoided unless safety measures are in place and the helper is trained or supervised.
What employers should check
Before assigning chores, ensure the following safety measures are in place:
- Grilles and locks – Check that all windows, balconies, and ledges are secure with grilles or locked to prevent falls.
- Adult supervision – High-risk tasks should only be done under direct supervision.
- Stable equipment – Avoid using chairs or unstable objects as makeshift ladders; provide proper step stools if needed.
- Clear instructions – Explain how tasks should be done safely and demonstrate if necessary.
- Helper confidence – Encourage your helper to ask questions, speak up, or refuse tasks they feel unsafe doing.
Conduct a home safety audit
A simple home safety audit can prevent accidents before they happen. Walk through your home with your helper and identify potential hazards:
- Balconies and ledges – ensure grilles or railings are secure
- Windows – check locks and avoid exterior cleaning on high floors
- Staircases – confirm handrails are sturdy
- Unstable platforms or furniture – remove or secure items that could cause falls
- Slippery surfaces – provide mats or anti-slip solutions in bathrooms and kitchens
Document the hazards and make a note of which chores require extra care or supervision.
Safety should never be an afterthought. By understanding which chores are high-risk, conducting home safety audits, and providing proper guidance and supervision, you can create a safe and productive environment for your helper.
Empowering helpers to voice concerns and ask questions ensures they feel confident and protected, strengthening trust and communication between you and your helper.
You might be interested in:
How to Manage Night Duties for Helpers Caring for Babies or Toddlers
Why Hiring a Filipino Helper in Singapore Is a Smart Choice for Modern Households
Need a Maid Urgently? Here’s How to Find the Right Helper Quickly and Stress-Free
Empower Your Helper: The Value of Maid Training Courses and Free Courses for FDWs
How Maid Agencies Can Use Feedback From Employers and Helpers to Improve
Employing a domestic helper can make daily life much smoother, but ensuring the safety of your helper should always be a top priority. Some household chores, while seemingly simple, can carry hidden risks, especially tasks involving heights or unstable surfaces. As an employer, it’s important to set clear boundaries, conduct safety checks, and provide proper guidance so your helper can work confidently and safely.
Safe vs. high-risk tasks
Not all chores carry the same level of risk. Understanding which tasks are safe and which require caution can prevent accidents at home:
Safe tasks
- Indoor cleaning: dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors
- Laundry: washing, drying, ironing
- Kitchen work: cooking, dishwashing, wiping surfaces
- Organising and tidying rooms
High-risk tasks
- Cleaning exterior windows, especially in high-rise buildings
- Standing on chairs, stools, or ladders for cleaning
- Handling heavy or unstable furniture without assistance
- Accessing rooftops or balconies without proper safety measures
Tip: Tasks involving heights should always be avoided unless safety measures are in place and the helper is trained or supervised.
What employers should check
Before assigning chores, ensure the following safety measures are in place:
- Grilles and locks – Check that all windows, balconies, and ledges are secure with grilles or locked to prevent falls.
- Adult supervision – High-risk tasks should only be done under direct supervision.
- Stable equipment – Avoid using chairs or unstable objects as makeshift ladders; provide proper step stools if needed.
- Clear instructions – Explain how tasks should be done safely and demonstrate if necessary.
- Helper confidence – Encourage your helper to ask questions, speak up, or refuse tasks they feel unsafe doing.
Conduct a home safety audit
A simple home safety audit can prevent accidents before they happen. Walk through your home with your helper and identify potential hazards:
- Balconies and ledges – ensure grilles or railings are secure
- Windows – check locks and avoid exterior cleaning on high floors
- Staircases – confirm handrails are sturdy
- Unstable platforms or furniture – remove or secure items that could cause falls
- Slippery surfaces – provide mats or anti-slip solutions in bathrooms and kitchens
Document the hazards and make a note of which chores require extra care or supervision.
Safety should never be an afterthought. By understanding which chores are high-risk, conducting home safety audits, and providing proper guidance and supervision, you can create a safe and productive environment for your helper.
Empowering helpers to voice concerns and ask questions ensures they feel confident and protected, strengthening trust and communication between you and your helper.
You might be interested in:
How to Manage Night Duties for Helpers Caring for Babies or Toddlers
Why Hiring a Filipino Helper in Singapore Is a Smart Choice for Modern Households
Need a Maid Urgently? Here’s How to Find the Right Helper Quickly and Stress-Free
Empower Your Helper: The Value of Maid Training Courses and Free Courses for FDWs
How Maid Agencies Can Use Feedback From Employers and Helpers to Improve