INCIDENTS OF PEOPLE FALLING FROM HDB FLAT BALCONY (Preventive measures)

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INCIDENTS OF PEOPLE FALLING FROM HDB FLAT BALCONY:

(Preventive measures): 10.

Mr Zainudin Nordin asked the Minister for National Development in view

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of the recent incident of a lady who fell from the flat balcony while hanging clothes and our aging population, (a) what measures are being introduced to prevent such incidents from recurring; and (b) whether the Housing and Development Board is exploring newer, efficient, senior citizen-friendly and safer designs for future flats.

Mr Heng Chee How (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are two main types of clothes drying systems in HDB flats, namely, the pipe socket clothes drying system, ie, the one where you stick the bamboo pole into, and the recessed clothes drying system, which is the one that, for example, after a Main Upgrading Programme, you will find them being constructed between two space-adding items. Both these systems are safe to use as long as the users are careful and take the necessary precautions when hanging out their clothes. For example, residents should not overload the bamboo poles. Those who prefer not to use the bamboo pole holders can install retractable clothes drying racks. Alternatively, they can dry their clothes indoors by using the clothes drying racks provided in the kitchen.

HDB has piloted a new parallel clothes drying rack system in some new flats. Under this system, the poles are fixed in place and parallel to the façade of the flats. If successful, the HDB will consider implementing this system for all new flats and also for existing flats undergoing upgrading.