Written by: Rita Magallona
So you’ve decided to move to Singapore. Relocating to a different country is an exciting prospect, as it means leaving the familiar.
But what if you’re faced with an unexpected problem far from home? Are you ready to respond to a medical issue, a car accident, or a fire?
Information is key. Here’s a list of possible situations and the corresponding Singapore emergency contact numbers so that you can get the assistance you need, fast.
What to Do in Case of an Emergency in Singapore
When an emergency happens, you should know whom to call. Here are the basic numbers you need to know.
1. Singapore Contact Numbers for Personal Emergencies
Emergency Type | Telephone Number |
---|---|
Emergency Ambulance & Fire SCDF | 995 |
Police Emergency | 999 |
Non-Emergency Ambulance | 1777 |
Drugs & Poison | 995 (emergency), 6423 9119 (non-emergency) |
Police Emergency SMS (if calling is not possible) | 71999 |
Traffic Police | 6547 0000 |
Source: gov.sg
Personal Medical Emergencies
If a medical emergency occurs that involves you or someone in your household, apply first aid as instructed by the Civil Defence Emergency Handbook only if you yourself are in no danger. Otherwise, call 995 for emergency services.
The ambulance service provided by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is free of charge if used for medical emergencies. These emergencies include the following:
- Accident with bruising
- Active seizure
- Asthma
- Bone fracture
- Breathlessness
- Cardiac arrest
- Cut with bleeding
- Elderly with a chronic medical condition
- Emergency labour
- Head injury
- Major trauma
- Mild injury
- Persistent fever
- Severe allergy
- Sick children
- Stroke
- Swelling
- Unconsciousness
If your medical condition is a non-emergency, you can seek treatment at clinics or call 1777 for the SCDF ambulance service. Note that you will be charged an ambulance fee of $274 if you call for an SCDF ambulance for non-emergency medical conditions. These non-emergency medical conditions include the following:
- Chronic cough
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rash
When should you call 995? Here’s a good video that you can watch.
Personal Police and Roadside Emergencies
If you become the victim of a crime or got involved in one, call the police at 999. If for some reason, you can’t call, send an SMS to 71999.
If you get involved in a roadside accident, call the traffic police at 6547 0000 and practice the roadside emergency tips given by the Automobile Association of Singapore.
2. Singapore Contact Numbers for Home Emergencies
For specific home emergencies, you can call the agency in charge below:
Emergency Type | Telephone Number |
---|---|
SP PowerGrid (for blackouts) | 1800 778 8888 |
Floods or Drain Obstructions | 1800 284 6600 |
City Gas (gas disruption or leakage) | 1800 752 1800 |
HDB Essential Maintenance Service Unit | 1800 275 5555, 1800 325 8888, 1800 354 3333 |
The SCDF recommends maintaining one or more emergency ready bags that contain important items you need to bring in case you need to evacuate your home.
The ready bag should contain the following:
- Torchlight without batteries
- Batteries
- Essential personal medication
- A waterproof folder containing photocopies of important documents (e.g. NRIC, insurance policies)
- Whistle
- First aid kit
- Childcare supplies and special care items
- N95 mask
You could also put in other optional items like cash, a list of personal and emergency contact numbers, clothing, dry foodstuff, and bottled water.
Not only are emergencies handled efficiently in Singapore, but this country also has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It’s no wonder that the garden city is a favoured destination by foreigners.
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