Introduction

SINGAPORE: A shocking incident shared online has raised concerns about safety for an 88-year-old woman living in an old HDB flat, after her granddaughter revealed that her grandma’s room has become “dangerously slippery” due to condensation from a neighboring unit's air conditioning.

The Situation

In a post to the popular Reddit forum ‘Ask Singapore’ on November 14, the concerned granddaughter detailed the troubling situation, explaining that the unit below has had various tenants over the years. However, the current tenants have been cranking their air conditioning to extreme lows, resulting in excessive cold air and condensation that seeps into her grandmother's living space, causing hazardous wet floors that had not been a problem in the past.

Health Concerns

“My grandma is not very fit and takes a long time to even walk a short distance,” the granddaughter expressed, emphasizing the potential danger of slipping on the wet floor, particularly for an elderly person.

Attempts to Resolve the Issue

Attempts to resolve the issue have been made, as the granddaughter mentioned that her aunt approached the neighbors, but was unable to reach them. A complaint was made to the Housing and Development Board (HDB), and it was reported that the HDB planned to address the issue with the tenants.

Seeking Solutions

Seeking solutions, the granddaughter suggested offering a Christmas gift or a Chinese New Year hamper as a friendly gesture to ease into the conversation with the neighbors. She asked Reddit users for advice, saying, "Any suggestions or advice to solve this issue?”

Community Response

Reddit users chimed in with their experiences, with one sharing a similar nightmare involving slippery floors due to condensation. After encountering hostility when addressing the issue directly, that user ultimately contacted HDB, which discovered the air conditioning unit was blowing cold air in a way that facilitated condensation. They advised the neighbors to redirect their air conditioning, which provided some relief, though problems persisted intermittently.

Debate Over HDB's Effectiveness

This has sparked a debate on the effectiveness of HDB’s resolutions, as many users pointed out that the agency often lacks the authority to enforce solutions that directly prevent such household issues. One user recommended various measures to alleviate the risk of slips, including investing in grip socks or in-house slippers for the elderly woman.

Conclusion

With increasing awareness of the elderly’s vulnerabilities in communal living situations, many are calling for better guidelines or interventions from housing authorities to prevent similar situations in the future. Notably, another tenant recently vented frustrations online about neighbors burning incense in shared spaces and interfering with her plants.

The Bigger Picture

As Singapore continues to urbanize and homes are closely packed together, these issues highlight the importance of mutual respect and effective communication among neighbors. Will this elderly woman find a solution in time, and can such incidents spark broader discussions about community living? Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds!