Dengue prevention starts at home

We might stay in a HDB flat but we have a garden right outside our home. See?


Before you get it wrong, no, I am not really a plant lover and as for the kids, I am certain they will choose fauna over flora anytime. However, these potted plants are the precious work of my mother-in-law who takes pride in cultivating them and therefore, we are always greeted by this tiny garden when we cross the common corridor.

Talking of our HDB estate, we live in a relatively new one but it was one of the dengue hotspots last year with 165 cases over two months.

When it comes to the health of our family, especially our kids, I think all parents will agree that it's better to be safe than sorry. We have to recognise the fact that dengue is a year-round threat and instead of always thinking "It won't be me" or adopt a wait-until-it-happens attitude, we need to remain vigilant and do our part in keeping the people around us safe.

Even though Singapore has seen lesser dengue cases this year (39% lesser number of cases reported between Jan and Mar, compared to the same period last year), NEA has detected 80% more mosquito breeding habitats in homes.

Also, as we move into the hotter months of June to October, we should be aware that this period has a higher transmission of dengue due to accelerated breeding and maturation cycles for the Aedes mosquitoes, and shorter incubation periods for the dengue virus. Like I said, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Dengue prevention starts at home and today, we share with you what we can do in the common corridor to prevent mosquito breeding.



1. Avoid the use of flowerpot plates. If you do use them, remember to remove water from the plates and scrub them regularly to remove mosquito eggs.


2. Loosen soil in potted plants to prevent accumulation of stagnant water on the surface of the hardened soil. This can be done with a hand rake or cultivator and can become a fun bonding activity with the kids too.

3. Do not place potted plant and other paraphernalia over scupper drains so that water can flow through easily. Ensure that you clear the drain or any weeds, soil or unwanted objects that can obstruct the flow of water and check that the scupper is not blocked.

In our best effort to break the breeding cycle, we should also remind ourselves to do the 5-­Step Mozzie Wipeout which takes only ten minutes but goes a long way in keeping our loved ones safe from dengue.

For more community updates, prevention tips and campaign information, like Stop Dengue Now on Facebook. Further details can also be found at the website http://dengue.gov.sg/.

A happy family has to first be a healthy one. As we admire the greenery along the common corridor and enjoy the comfort of our home, we will remind ourselves that we have a part to play in dengue prevention too.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation between National Environment Agency and A Happy Mum. All opinions are my own.