Household Safety, Family Guide to Jakarta

You are responsible for the safety of your family while in Jakarta. This means be aware of the hazards that may affect your family while living here. Do not expect the same understanding of general safety from your staff or the services you use. However, it is important to explain why you feel so strongly about these safety issues. Double check everything. Research and become well informed so you can make the best decisions.

Some supermarkets sell some child safety products including drawer locks, doorstoppers, oven locks, table corner protectors. Ace Hardware sell smoke alarms and other safety products, as do Guardian Pharmacies. These prevent children sticking objects into power points. It is possible to get power sockets with flaps that cover the socket so you can ask your landlord if they will install these.

Security

Inspection Companies

After locating a house that you think will fit your needs use an inspection company to check the safety of the electrical wiring in particular.

PT George Floth Indonesia
Jl Kemang Barat 20-B, Jakarta Selatan 12730
T: 021 719 1044 / 021 719 1045
Contact: Terry Smith
email: gfjakt@cbn.net.id

PT Rezekisurya Intimakmur
They will take care of air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, refridgerators, washing machines, water heaters, pool maintenance, house renovation & construction.

Electricity

Electricity in Indonesia is 220 volts AC and 50 Freq/Hz. You should not have any problems with your electrical system however, the danger of electrical shocks is very real and children should be taught not to play with anything electrical i.e. appliances, outlets or cords.

Make sure your electricity is properly grounded/earthed.
Make sure the phases are balanced which means there are not too many appliances on one circuit. Ask your landlord to rebalance it if this is the case.
Try and negotiate new appliances, if you are paying for your own electricity this will save you money in the long run.
Negotiate a lightning rod so that your appliances are protected should your house be hit by lightning.
Negotiate child friendly sockets such as those that you plug in and turn to get power or ones with covers on them. If this is not possible you can buy socket inserts to protect little fingers at ACE Hardware, they now have a range of safety products by 'dreambaby' an Australian company. Other options are covering sockets with furntiure or insert the lid of a roll of camera film into the socket.

Air-Conditioning

Regular maintenance of air-conditioners is important. They can get mouldy and spread horrible germs around the house. Try and 'air' your house as often as possible to get rid of the stale, recycled air. Often maintenance is taken care of by your company or the landlord's maintenance company. Another option is to try one of the relocation companies which will have a maintenance service division or try P.T.Rezekisurya Intimakmur.

Pool

Pool fences are not legally required in Indonesia, so you may be renting a house that does not have one. Negotiate having your pool fenced and personally supervise its installation. Look specifically at spacing between bars, height of fence and gate locking mechanism. For information on western safety standards look at www.kidsafe.com.au.

If your landlord will not install a fence there are many small engineering/welding workshops about that can make one to your specifications or alternatively use the list of names below to help you.

The tiles around the outside of a pool can become extremely treacherous when wet. Makro sells black industrial perforated rubber matting (intended to increase the safety of factory floors) which has been used successfully around household pools to make them more safe for young children. This matting has also been used under and around swing sets to cushion the blow of any falls.

Also set clear rules with your staff about pool use. Remember that most Indonesians can not swim and very few have basic first aid or CPR.

Fire

Ask your landlord to install smoke detectors or install them yourself. Buy them at ACE Hardware.

Ask for a fire extinguisher, it should be able to put out both gas and electrical fires.

As lighters and matches are readily available (eg. through a smoking staff member) make sure your staff and children are schooled in fire safety. Staff must be told to keep these items out of reach of children and your children told not to touch them.

Falling Hazards

Marble floors pose potential hazards as even the tiniest bit of water can produce the most spectacular of falls. Many a child has chipped a tooth falling on a marble floor.

Make sure bathrooms have mats and carpet as much of the house as you are comfortable with, pad playroom and bedroom floors with inexpensive foam mats that you can buy at Carrefour, ACE Hardware and most places selling toys.

Equipment & Toys

It is very important to remember that safety standards in Indonesia are not necessarily the same as in your home country. The onus is on you to make yourself aware of potential for harm and how to avoid it. Things such as the space/width between the bars of a cot, paints used and suitability of toys etc are things that would have been taken care of for you in most western countries where there are safety standards in place. If you are buying off the shelf or having something made, look online for guidance e.g. www.kidsafe.com.au for western safety regulations and guidelines.

Car Safety

Car Seats
Many people choose to bring these from their home country, as they are familiar with the safety standards and brands. You can go to our where can i buy page and look under baby equipment for a list of suppliers in Jakarta. However keep in mind that they are being sold in a market that generally does not concern itself with safety issues, so it is important that you are satisfied the products that you buy adhere to your standards. You may need to do some research. If your car seat has an anchor strap, a company that fits seatbelts can usually install the bolt that is necessary to attach the strap to. Find a car that already has a bolt fitted and show that car to your driver to illustrate what you want, then send him off to get the job done. Again, the onus is on you to check the job is done to a satisfactory standard. Self-tapping screws are not appropriate for seat belts or for car seat bolts. Alternatively, try the baby seats that can be restrained just using the car seatbelt. You may need to check that your seatbelts are long enough for a rear facing baby seat. If not your driver will know or will be able to find out where to get them lengthened.

Car Safety Locks
Make sure your driver always activates the central locking system in the car especially when travelling with children. Also make your driver aware of the child safety locks in your car doors, however not all cars have child safety locks so check before you choose which car to buy.

Safety Information Links

www.kidsafe.com.au - Australian Child Accident Prevention Foundation.
Many fact sheets giving clear, concise information about subjects such as nursery equipment, toddlers, water and age related facts on child safety.

www.familymanagement.com
A resourse guide on services and information for all families. Includes baby safety checklist.