Safety belts for maids cleaning windows: Gd idea/for show?
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Make window small small one can lah.
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or have automated clamps
when the maid is going to lean over, the clamps will clamp her right where she is
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Clamps could malfunction, and nudge her butt over the ledge.
Make it mandatory to inform SCDF of day and time window cleaning taking place. So that SCDF can deploy air cushions.
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Safe cleaning for windows
Gadgets on the market allow you to clean the outside of windows without the risk of falling out
A popular magnetic window cleaner by local home appliance brand Maier is selling well at DIY shops after the spate of maids falling to their death while cleaning windows.
The Maier Innovative Window Cleaner, which was first made available here in 2002, allows it user to clean the exterior of windows without having to open them wide and lean out precariously, as is often the case in high-rise buildings.
Its secret lies in the use of magnets in two rectangular cleaning devices. When you move one on the inside of the window, the one on the outside follows due to the magnetic attraction. In the process, the devices pick up dirt and dust on the cleaning mats and squeegees at their bases.
About 100 to 200 units are sold monthly, says Maier, which supplies them to about 20 shops including do-it-yourself chain stores Home-Fix and Selffix. The Product sells for $29.90.
Maier sales manager Peter Chan has seen an increase in sales of “about 15 to 20 per cent” in recent months, each time there is a case of a maid falling from a high-rise building.
Eight maids have fallen to their deaths this year, most of whom were apparently cleaning windows when they fell. Between 2007 and last year, 24 maids fell to their deaths.
“In previous years, whenever there is newspaper report about a maid falling while cleaning, there will be more awareness and interest about safety in window cleaning,” says Mr Chan.
“Only this year, the increase in sales is much higher because on average, there are two cases involving maids a month. Previously, the increase was only marginal.”
Home-Fix sells an average of 60 units a month, while Selffix sold 15 last month. Two out of Selffix ‘s 10 outlets are sold out of the product and three are running low on stocks.
However, some customers have found it unsatisfactory.
Mrs Elise Teo, 54, shelved it after using it twice three years ago. “It is not very smooth-moving on the window, and it is also not very efficient in cleaning,” says the assistant vice-president in global transactions at DBS.
There are alternative gadgets around, including extendable window cleaners such as the 3-in-1 Window Wiper by German home appliance brand Leifheit. The cleaner works like a mop, with an extendable pole and bendable and detachable cleaning head.
However at $98, it is not as popular as the cheaper Maier one. DIY shop Handyhouse sells ‘’not more than 10.” Leifheit cleaners a month, while Zener D.I.Y Store sells “about one” each month.
LifeStyle asked Filipina maid Florabel Gepulango, 34, to put the Maier Innovative Window Cleaner and the Leifheit 3-in-1 Window Wiper to the test.
LEIFHEIT 3-IN-1 WINDOW WIPER
What: An extendable mop with a detachable head lined with a removable microfibre cleaning cloth and squeegee, from German brand Leifheit. The microfibre cloth, which is attached by Velcro, can be washed up to 100 times. The pole can be extended up to 2m. The cleaning head can be tilted up to 180 degrees. The user may have to lean out the window a bit to reach some corners, but not much.
Where to buy it: Zener D.I.Y Store, 1 Glaymore Drive, Orchard Towers, 01-07/08/09, tel: 6735-8439; Handyhouse 1 Fifth Avenue, tel: 64667800
Price: $98
The Verdict: “It can reach the higher places and remove the dirt properly.”
“You can also remove the head to use separately, so you can use it in many ways.”
“I think it is safe to use. You can adjust the handle so you can reach the higher parts of the window without leaning out so much.”
MAIER INNOVATIVE WINDOW CLEANER MHI-500
What: This comprises two sections of plastic embedded with magnets. Each section has two strips of cleaning cloth attached to it.
One section has a handle. You put this inside the window and the other section outside the window. The action of swishing the one inside across the window pane causes the one outside to follow due to magnetic attraction.
The outside section has a drop-prevention cord you can attach to your wrist in case it falls off the window.
Suitable for using on standard windows that are 3 to 7mm thick. Comes with one-year warranty.
Where to buy it: Home Fix, 24 outlets islandwide including Thomson Plaza (301 Upper Thomson Road, 01-85/86 Thomson Plaza, tel: 6457-8038) and Tampines 1 (10 Tampines Central 1 , B1-20 Tampines 1, tel: 6544-2736); Selffix, 10 outlets islandwide including VivoCity (1 Harbourfront Walk, B2-20 VivoCity , tel: 63769072) and The Centrepoint (176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint 03-42, tel: 67356274)
Price: $29.90
The verdict: “It’s not easy to use. You cannot reach the higher parts of the window. Sometimes, it cannot catch the dirt properly. ”
“When you move the cleaner, the parts will stick together because of the magnet. But you cannot move it too fast or else the piece on the outside can drop off.” (The external unit fell off once during the test.)
“It‘s not very comfortable to use.”
lifestyle, hot, Pg 2, The Sunday Times May 6, 2012
