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Car seat safety is essential when it comes to protecting your child during travel. However, knowing the correct ways of installing and using car seats as your child grows up can be tricky. Steer clear of these common mistakes parents commit when it comes to car seat safety.
Purchasing a used car seat without finding out its history
Ensure the car seat includes instructions and a label displaying the date of manufacture and model number. It should not be more than 6 years old, no visible damage or missing parts and has not been recalled. Avoid using the car seat if you are unsure about its history.
Placing the car seat in the wrong place
The safest option is to position the car seat rear-facing in the back seats, away from active air bags to reduce impact during accidents. Avoid placing your child in the co-passenger seat in front as he/she may be flung towards the windscreen in the event of an accident.
Incorrect installation or buckling up
Read the manufacturer's instructions before installing the car seat. Keep the seat tightly secured and facing the correct direction. Position the car seat's carrying handle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Incorrect reclining
Recline the car seat as per the manufacturer's instructions so your child's head doesn't droop forward. If you're putting a newborn in the car seat, place tightly rolled baby blankets alongside him/her to prevent slouching.
Shifting to a forward-facing seat too soon
It is recommended for your child to be riding rear-facing until he/she reaches 2 years or the maximum weight of 16 kilos. When you make the switch, place the car seat in the back seat as instructed by the manufacturer and use the seat belt and tether strap, which hooks to the top of the seat and latches to an anchor in the vehicle, for extra stability.
Using a booster seat too early
The switch to a booster seat is no longer based on age, but height according to the Traffic Police's guideline that states "adults below the height of 1.35m shall use booster seats or approved adjustable seat belts to lower the risk of injury in the event of an accident". While most child car seats can hold children up to an average of 3 years old, take note of the specifications and limitations of the car seat.
Using the booster seat incorrectly
Use both the lap and shoulder belts. Ensure the lap belt is snug across your child's upper thighs while the shoulder belt goes across the middle of his/her chest and shoulders. Backless booster seats must also be used with both types of belts - never a lap-only belt.
Using adult seat belt too soon
Generally, children are ready to use an adult seat belt between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. Your child is ready when the lap belt rests flat and snugly across his/her upper thighs, and the shoulder belt rests on the middle of your child's shoulder and chest - not on the neck or face.
Using a car seat as an alternative crib
Although it's essential to buckle up your child into a car seat during travel, it's not meant as a replacement crib at home. Studies have shown that sitting upright in a car seat might compress a newborn's chest and cause lower levels of oxygen. Avoid letting your child sleep or relax in the car seat for long periods out of the car.
District Race wraps up 2020 virtual event with 20,000 more trees protected
13 Mar 2021
The District Race Singapore 2020 virtual event, which ran from 20 November until 30 December 2020, ended its hugely successful run with the protection of 40,000 trees.
To officially cap off the virtual event and follow up on the significant milestone it achieved, District Race Singapore FINALS was held on 13 March 2021 as a 90-minute race through the city. The event which was presented by MSIG Insurance (“MSIG Singapore”), saw an additional 20,000 protected trees through the efforts of race participants. It also marked the launch of the new District app.
Extending the commitment to protect the environment
District Race Singapore FINALS was an invite-only sporting event and served as an extension of District Race and MSIG Singapore’s commitment to preserve tropical rainforests and biodiversity. On top of the 40,000 protected trees from the District Race Singapore 2020 virtual event, MSIG Singapore has once again pledged to protect 20,000 trees through the collected points on race day.
According to MSIG Singapore’s CEO Craig Ellis, this partnership with District Race and Conservation International Asia-Pacific is aligned with protecting biodiversity as part of the company’s sustainability efforts. “At MSIG, we understand the importance of protecting what people hold dear and that includes preserving biodiversity at the heart of human well-being. Protecting trees is crucial to safeguarding biodiversity and helps build a better world for generations to come.”
One hundred racers, gathered in teams of four, raced through the city. The race started at OCBC Square at Singapore Sports Hub, the event’s official venue partner. The teams raced in four waves between 0700 and 1300 hours with the goal to collect points by clearing checkpoints across Singapore within the 90-minute time limit.
As part of the Sport Singapore Blended Events Program, FINALS was conducted with strict adherence to government guidelines on safe distancing and large-scale sporting activities.
Joined by Team Singapore athletes
Team Singapore athletes such as marathoner Jasmine Goh, bowler Charlene Lim, and Netball National Team Captain Charmaine Soh, among others also joined the race.
“As Team Singapore athletes, it’s important for us to set an example to our fellow Singaporeans to champion the environment and stay active, especially in these times. I think the District app is an exciting platform which enables citizens to combine these efforts and it’s a great way to rediscover the city in the new normal,” says Charmaine Soh.
Introducing the new District app
The launch of the new District app was another highlight of the District Race Singapore FINALS. The improved app featured a new hybrid event style that brought extraordinary augmented reality experiences, starting with custom and shareable Augmented Reality face filters that participants received when they finished the race.
“2020 was a year none of us could have imagined and prepared for. But if it taught us anything, it’s that we must strengthen our commitment to our health, environment, and communities,” says District Race CEO Ben Pember.
He adds, “In 2021 and beyond the pandemic, we must be more involved than ever if we want to emerge better and more resilient. By leveraging the latest technologies such as Augmented Reality, the new District app aims to help users lead a more active lifestyle and become more in tune with their surroundings in the most engaging way possible.”
The District app is available for download on both App Store and Google Play Store.
"District changes the way you run in a fun and exciting way. We got to run as a team and score points together which motivated us to go further" - Team Bandung 1
(Winner of District Race Singapore FINALS)
Representatives from Team Singapore’s Netball Team doing their part for charity.
District Technologies is an innovative technology company that enables anyone to get active through exploration. Founded in 2017, District Technologies was born from a desire to reignite the spirit of discovery in all of us and enable everyone to lead an active and social lifestyle. District Technologies’ key offering is District, a first-of-its-kind urban exploration app that combines ground-breaking location-based tracking and augmented reality technology to motivate people to rediscover their cities and level up their fitness by completing in-app challenges built around the urban environment. District Technologies also holds District Race events around the world that are built around the District app. District Technologies is headquartered in Singapore and has since established a global presence, with key markets in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
A leading general insurer with a local presence of over 100 years, MSIG Singapore offers an extensive range of insurance solutions for commercial and personal risk protection, enabling the security and safety of individuals and businesses. MSIG Singapore holds an A+/Stable financial rating by Standard & Poor's.
A testament to its growing strength and influence, MSIG Singapore has garnered numerous awards for delivering digitally innovative and customer-centric solutions. It was namedAsia's Most Transformative Insurer (2019) by the IDC Financial Insights and TheDigital Insurer of the Year (2018) by The Asset, an independent financial research publication in Asia.
MSIG Singapore is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group – one of the largest general insurance groups in the world with presence in 46 countries and regions globally, 18 of which are in Asia Pacific including all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and India. Headquartered in Japan, MS&AD is ranked 5th* among non-life insurance groups in the world based on gross revenue.
* 2020 Fortune Global 500, Property & Casualty Insurance Category
Leveraging current momentum to go green post-Covid-19
20 Apr 2021
Electric Cars
Much has been discussed about the positive impact that Covid-19 has brought to the environment due to decreased economic activities and emissions. While it is true to a certain extent, these short-term effects alone will not reverse climate change overnight.
According to estimates by the United Nations, more than 110 countries have committed to carbon neutrality. Yet, at the same time, the latest report by UN Climate Change has determined that many signatories, including some of the biggest polluting economies, are not on track to meet the Paris Agreement goals by 2050 based on current projections.
Reducing emissions is also not the cure-all for climate change. To achieve meaningful and sustainable progress for future generations, we will need to consider various plans of action that address every dimension of our lives.
Closer to home, however, there is cause for optimism. Singapore's unveiling of its own Green Plan 2030 signals its promise to become the world's greenest country by doubling-down on its efforts to build a sustainable future. The plan is not focused just on reducing emissions but also encompasses a whole-of-nation approach to step up Singapore's sustainability agenda.
As vaccines are being rolled out around the world and economic activities gradually resume, it is vital that we do not shift our focus away from environmental issues. And while there is no 'vaccine' for climate change, 2021 may just be a turning point for the much-needed green recovery.
Given the inconclusive results of the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25), governments around the world are expected to raise their carbon emission targets in this year's annual Climate Change Conference (COP26).
Nonetheless, these goals must be backed by attainable interim targets set for 2030, and here is where Singapore has done well to be a worthy contender as a 'bright green spark for the world', a term its policymakers have used to describe the vision for the city-state.
Singapore's Green Plan 2030 is part of a series of incremental steps the country has taken in its climate response, building on past initiatives introduced progressively over the years. From enacting the 1971 Clean Air Act, to introducing its Zero Water Masterplan and carbon tax framework in 2019 and re-designating its Ministry of Environment and Water Resources as the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore has been steadfast in its pursuit of sustainable development.
The plan set for the next decade will focus on crucial aspects such as biodiversity, renewable energy and green transportation. Among these, the government has set its sights on eco-friendly vehicles, requiring all newly-registered cars to be cleaner-energy models by 2030. Under the City in Nature pillar, Singapore will also reserve around 200 hectares of land for the development of nature parks - a remarkable commitment given the country's limited land area.
Singapore's goal of halving its peak greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and commitment of reaching net-zero emissions "as soon as viable in the second half of the century" - are targets that are crucial to addressing rising sea levels that threaten more than 30 per cent of the island. Most importantly, these clear interim targets for 2030 reflect the country's prudent approach to tackling climate change, which allows policymakers to build on the experience and realign the strategy to eventually reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The joint multi-agency efforts across five different ministries for the Singapore Green Plan 2030 also establishes the importance of advancing the sustainability agenda across all sectors, and the level of collaboration and cooperation that the plan will require to succeed.
As countries make haste to bring their net zero carbon plans to fruition, green climate action will undoubtedly benefit from the momentum generated from these top-down pushes to spur more innovations and investments from the private sector.
Transport Sector
One such example is the transportation industry, where the push for cleaner-energy vehicles has made commendable progress, especially as renewable energy is now more affordable than ever.
Around the world, Tesla, Volkswagen, General Motors and other major car manufacturers are also taking the lead in developing and expanding the reach of their electric vehicles (EVs) for mass consumers. Likewise, in Singapore, private sector companies are collaborating to accelerate the adoption of EVs, including the expansion of charging infrastructure and battery leasing service.
For our public policy to succeed, businesses need to work hand in hand, setting their own green targets to foster growth opportunities and to ensure that progress is sustainable.
As a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group, MSIG's sustainability journey is closely aligned with our group's ambition and goal to tackle the issue of sustainability through innovation. It encompasses a value creation approach behind the development of sustainability-related products, services, and initiatives across the region, such as MSIG Thailand's crop insurance to support the government's agriculture policy, fire insurance for social enterprises by MSIG Malaysia, and more.
In addition, our strategic three-year collaboration with Conservation International Asia-Pacific (CIAP) to protect biodiversity will encompass a variety of conservation efforts, with a focus on mangrove and marine conservation in Singapore. This regional partnership and its efforts aim to remove around 4.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions by contributing to the conservation of some 9,500 hectares of forest and 72,500 hectares of ocean - equivalent to taking around one million cars off the road for a year. This is a mission that not only resonates with our vision of a vibrant and resilient society, but also one that aligns with our business objectives of insuring the future of our planet.
The reality is that while carbon emissions have fallen by 7 per cent in 2020 - the largest since World War II - it is still far from the estimated 14 per cent annual decrease that we need to meet to achieve the 1.5-deg C temperature cap by 2040.
What the pandemic has given us is the temporary suspension of environmental damage caused by human activity. The world has to seize this window of opportunity to do what we can to advance our sustainability agenda.
While new challenges have emerged with the pandemic, a silver lining to keep in mind is how much more prepared we are when dealing with a global-level threat. Now more than ever, we need to leverage the current momentum to move forward decisively and collectively, to confront the most pertinent issue of our generation.
An edited version of this article has been published in The Business Times on 20 April 2021.
The article was contributed by Craig Ellis, CEO, MSIG Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
MSIG partners with Singapore Cancer Society to raise public awareness on cancer risks
27 Apr 2021
MSIG Insurance (“MSIG”) and Singapore Cancer Society (“SCS”) today announced a 3-year collaboration to advance public awareness on cancer risks.
“Cancer is expected to become more common as life expectancy increases. By collaborating with the Singapore Cancer Society, we hope to engage our stakeholders on the topic of proactive health management in minimising cancer risks. Given that the average Singaporean is covered for only 20 percent of their financial needs when critical illness occurs1, educational programmes on cancer prevention will further complement our existing insurance solutions and allow us to contribute positively to the overall cancer control efforts in Singapore,” said Mr. Steven Leong, Senior Vice-President, Consumer and Digital Distribution, MSIG Singapore.
He added further, “In the last 6 months, we have also seen a 50% increase in the sales of our CancerCare Plus plan, which provides $100,000 coverage for all stages of cancer. This suggests that more Singaporeans are finding importance in taking better control of their health and their financial needs.”
To empower more people to take actions regarding their health, MSIG has pledged to donate $10 for every CancerCare Plus policy sold. This donation will go towards supporting SCS’ cancer programmes and patient care services.
According to a 2018 annual report by the Singapore Cancer Registry, the median age at diagnosis for cancer had risen for both genders from 2014 to 20182. This is a result of an increase in life expectancy over the years as more individuals are expected to survive past their 80s, when age-specific incidence rate of cancer is at its highest.
In Singapore, 1 in 4 people may develop cancer at some point during their lifetimes3. Cancer remains the biggest killer and claims more than 5,600 lives annually in Singapore, with the mortality rate higher among men than in women (96.5 per 100,000 men and 66.5 per 100,000 women). The top three leading causes of cancer death in men were lung, colorectal and liver, while breast, lung and colorectal cancers were the leading causes of cancer mortality in women.
As part of the collaboration, MSIG and SCS will roll out virtual seminars tailored for different target audiences to educate them on the commonly-diagnosed cancers affecting Singaporeans.
“As SCS strives to ensure that holistic support is rendered to help patients cope during their cancer journey, the fight against cancer involves all sectors of society and the community. We are heartened that corporates like MSIG have stepped up to support us in our efforts to minimise the impact of cancer in Singapore. We believe corporate partners can play a greater role in upscaling our cancer outreach programmes and drive awareness of SCS’ work for the cancer community. With rising cancer incidence and more cancer survivors in Singapore, we are also appreciative of MSIG’s fundraising efforts that will support SCS’ programmes and services for the vulnerable and financially needy cancer patients,” said Mr. Albert Ching, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cancer Society.
A leading general insurer with a local presence of over 100 years, MSIG Singapore offers an extensive range of insurance solutions for commercial and personal risk protection, enabling the security and safety of individuals and businesses. MSIG Singapore holds an A+/Stable financial rating by Standard & Poor's.
A testament to its growing strength and influence, MSIG Singapore has garnered numerous awards for delivering digitally innovative and customer-centric solutions. It was namedAsia's Most Transformative Insurer (2019) by the IDC Financial Insights and TheDigital Insurer of the Year (2018) by The Asset, an independent financial research publication in Asia.
MSIG Singapore is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group – one of the largest general insurance groups in the world with presence in 46 countries and regions globally, 18 of which are in Asia Pacific including all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and India. Headquartered in Japan, MS&AD is ranked 5th* among non-life insurance groups in the world based on gross revenue.
* 2020 Fortune Global 500, Property & Casualty Insurance Category
Established in 1964, Singapore Cancer Society is a self-funded voluntary welfare organisation which provides patient care services to needy cancer patients through its welfare, hospice home care, cancer treatment subsidy and rehabilitation support programmes. In addition, the Society also provides free cancer screening services and promotes cancer awareness and prevention through its public education and community outreach programmes.
MSIG extends its commitment to drive biodiversity conservation efforts through the launch of two new interactive trails
01 Jul 2021
MSIG Biodiversity Mission Partnership
Singaporeans can now leverage digital fitness app to gain a better appreciation of our rich local biodiversity. Jointly developed by MSIG Insurance (“MSIG”) and District, with content designed in partnership with Conservation International Asia-Pacific (“CIAP”), the MSIG Biodiversity Mission showcases two interactive trails - Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Siloso Trails - and is free for the public to participate, up till 31 December 2021. Using the app, participants can choose to explore solo or with a few friends or family members while making the necessary adjustments to keep safe amidst the COVID-19 measures.
Participants can collect points when using the app to explore different parts of Singapore or chalk up more points when trying out the trail challenges. Upon checking-in on site at the trail locations with the app, participants will have 60 minutes to attempt the in-app challenges. These in-app challenges contain general knowledge questions related to the native flora and fauna unique to these locations.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, for instance, is one of the few natural areas in Singapore to host an extensive mangrove forest and is recognised internationally as a site of significant importance for migratory birds. With over 40 hectares of protected nature areas, Sentosa island is also a wildlife haven for sightings of over 100 recorded bird species.
“There is strong evidence that nature trails can improve health and quality of life and be an economic driving force, supporting Singapore’s growing nature-based recreation economy. Conservation International Asia-Pacific is proud to partner with MSIG’s Biodiversity Trails initiative, and we hope that this innovative approach can help raise awareness of Singapore’s amazing nature reserves and rich natural heritage,” said Dr. Richard Jeo, Conservation International’s Senior Vice President Asia-Pacific Field Division.
Commenting on the objective of the trails, Mr. Craig Ellis, CEO, MSIG Singapore said, “The MSIG Biodiversity Mission is a continuation of our biodiversity education efforts following the successful launch of the MSIG Biodiversity Trail in 2019. The two new interactive trails will open up more opportunities for the public to rediscover an array of biodiversity that exists in Singapore. These trails are each unique in their own ways and will provide a different biodiversity education to nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts alike. People and nature can co-exist in harmony, and this is what we hope to ultimately achieve as part of our ongoing commitment towards biodiversity conservation.”
Apart from the virtual checkpoints and in-app challenges, participants of the MSIG Biodiversity Mission will also receive extra points for every 1 kilometre of distance covered. Upon completion of their activity, participants will be rewarded with a custom and shareable Augmented Reality face filter, which will certify them as an “MSIG Biodiversity Protector”.
Mr. Ben Pember, CEO, District Technologies said, “The success of the first MSIG Biodiversity Trail at Singapore Botanic Gardens has inspired the new trails this year at Sungei Buloh and Siloso. We are glad to partner with MSIG again on this educational initiative, which is in alignment with our values and is also an opportunity for us to rally our loyal and engaged runners around a common environmental cause.”
To encourage exploration of the two interactive trails, the top 10 scorers of each trail will win a $50 sports voucher each for the challenge period of 1 July to 31 August 2021. The contents of the trails will be refreshed again to bring a new learning experience to participants and the next challenge period will be from 1 September to 31 October 2021.
The District app is available for download on both App Store and Google Play Store.
The MSIG Biodiversity Mission 2021 consists of interactive trail challenges and is free to join on the District app, up till 31 December 2021.MSIG Biodiversity MissionMSIG Biodiversity Mission
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
A leading general insurer with a local presence of over 100 years, MSIG Singapore offers an extensive range of insurance solutions for commercial and personal risk protection, enabling the security and safety of individuals and businesses. MSIG Singapore holds an A+/Stable financial rating by Standard & Poor's.
A testament to its growing strength and influence, MSIG Singapore has garnered numerous awards for delivering digitally innovative and customer-centric solutions. It was namedAsia's Most Transformative Insurer (2019) by the IDC Financial Insights and TheDigital Insurer of the Year (2018) by The Asset, an independent financial research publication in Asia.
MSIG Singapore is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group – one of the largest general insurance groups in the world with presence in 46 countries and regions globally, 18 of which are in Asia Pacific including all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and India. Headquartered in Japan, MS&AD is ranked 5th* among non-life insurance groups in the world based on gross revenue.
* 2020 Fortune Global 500, Property & Casualty Insurance Category
District Technologies is an innovative technology company that enables anyone to get active through exploration. Founded in 2017, District Technologies was born from a desire to reignite the spirit of discovery in all of us and enable everyone to lead an active and social lifestyle. District Technologies’ key offering is District, a first-of-its-kind urban exploration app that combines ground-breaking location-based tracking and augmented reality technology to motivate people to rediscover their cities and level up their fitness by completing in-app challenges built around the urban environment. District Technologies also holds District Race events around the world that are built around the District app. District Technologies is headquartered in Singapore and has since established a global presence, with key markets in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Conservation International works to protect the critical benefits that nature provides to people. Through science, partnerships and fieldwork, Conservation International is driving innovation and investments in nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, supporting protections for critical habitats, and fostering economic development that is grounded in the conservation of nature. Conservation International works with governments, corporations, and local communities, empowering societies at all levels to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Conservation International Asia-Pacific, headquartered in Singapore, has for over 20 years implemented conservation programs across the region. In this region Conservation International Asia-Pacific has worked to protect more than 80,000 km2 on land and 3.5 million km2 at sea whilst supporting over one million local community members and investing over US$60 million into protected area trust funds. The work has led to the discovery of over 1000 new vertebrate species.
Things I Learnt on My Cancer Journey: One Girl's Road to Remission
28 Jul 2021
With her sunny smile and infectious enthusiasm, you would be forgiven for not guessing the tough hand life has dealt 36-year-old Mas. At age 29, she was diagnosed with a rare type of germ cell tumour called immature teratoma. Mas has been in remission for five years and runs two thriving businesses. Her journey has not been easy. Here, she shares some of the lessons she learnt on her way to offer hope and inspiration to others.
1. Don't Dismiss Any Physical Discomfort
"It started when I had some abdominal pains. I went to the clinic and they referred me to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for appendicitis. But after a scan, they discovered a huge cyst. I was so confused, cancer just did not cross my mind as a possibility. It sounds crazy but it only started to sink in after my first day of chemotherapy."
Mas' story illuminates a very important truth about cancer: it doesn't always show up as a lump. No matter how trivial a medical condition may seem, it's important to get checked as soon as possible. Here's a handy guide on how often you should go for screening to check for different types of cancer.
2. You Get To Decide Who Journeys With You
Another important lesson is to find the right doctor. While Mas felt powerless about her diagnosis, she has since learnt there are things she still has control over - including who her primary care doctor was.
"I had to consult a few doctors before I decided on Dr Lim from NUH (National University Hospital). I'm really glad I did that because she was such a big part of how I pulled through!
She really took the time to answer all my questions and explain everything in detail. She was, of course, compassionate. Stern but not forceful. So she really helped me feel at ease, and that was so essential."
3. The Journey Is Not Linear
"Exhausting, depressing, and tons of crying!"
When even simple day-to-day activities such as taking a shower were difficult to do, it's easy to see why Mas described her chemotherapy experience as such. When the first cycle was completed, she was deeply relieved and thought her ordeal was over.
Unfortunately, life had other plans. Six months later, Mas had a recurrence and was advised to go for a bone marrow transplant in order to handle high-dose chemotherapy.
"It was a nightmare - I had to be isolated most of the time and my body was in constant pain. Looking back, I realise it helps a lot to manage your expectations and know that there will be bad times after the good, and good times after the bad. Getting to remission wasn't a smooth-sailing and straight road, and it helps to be aware that it will be a series of ups and downs."
4. There's Such a Thing as Being Too Independent
Mas has always professed herself to be a fiercely independent person. But her cancer journey was about to show her that it is not always a good thing.
"It's funny how it took cancer to teach me to be more vocal about my needs, even for simple things like "Hey, can you get me juice?" or "Is it ok if you help to shower me today?" That's why I'm so thankful for my sister, Nisah. She was my main caretaker and she never failed to show up. She is my guiding light, my rock."
Mas also learnt more about the type of support she needed most. While well-meaning people sent her online articles on what to eat or not eat, and told her everything happens for a reason, it often ended up making her feel worse. "So I realise the best kind of support is when our loved ones show up and are simply present."
But Mas' sister, Nisah, has a tip for caregivers: don't forget self-care!
"It may be hard because you want to be there to take care of your loved one, but if you don't set aside time for yourself, you will crumble. So I'm grateful Mas always insisted I take Sundays off, to let me focus on myself."
5. Expect the Unexpected
"You know, one thing that really surprised me about my experience is that losing my hair was strangely the least difficult part! I've always loved that I'm financially independent, but after my diagnosis, I was so worried about the cost of treatment, and that just wasn't something I ever thought to budget for."
Life has a funny way of never quite turning out as expected. Mas started to blog to document her journey but as chemotherapy got increasingly difficult, she was simply unable to maintain it. Her dreams of starting her own family also met a roadblock. "I had to go for a hysterectomy to reduce the chances of recurrence. I decided to go for it, as it might be the only chance I have of defeating cancer."
"I guess all of this has taught me that life is better lived, without getting too hung up on a fixed idea of how it's supposed to go, and trust that it will take you where you need to be!"
6. You Are More Than Your Condition
"This may be one of the most important takeaways for me. Cancer is a life-changing condition, but it is not your entire life."
Mas soon learnt how important it is to have a sense of normalcy amidst the crazy, and took comfort in things such as Coke and music - never underestimate the power of simple pleasures!
With bravery and conviction, she decided to turn the pain into a healing journey of self-discovery and experimentation with creative pursuits and crafts. Since her diagnosis, she has started a handicrafts business with Nisah called The C Project and opened her own home bakery, TLC (Tummy Loves Cakes).
"It's something I'm so proud of. I was very cathartic for me to not define myself as a cancer patient, but as someone with passions and interests of her own."
MSIG CancerCare Plus
Mas's journey is truly a powerful illumination of courage, spirit and hope. It also sheds light on the unpredictable nature of life, and how the universe sometimes sends you exactly what you need.
"It's so funny. 10 years ago, I was at the post office and an insurance agent approached me. I signed up for the policy without much thought, and that was the policy that ended up helping me with my treatment expenses! In hindsight, I'm so relieved he came to talk to me that day and I reached out to thank him because I can't imagine how heavy the burden would be, if not for that day!"
Like Mas, you too can look out for your future self with the safety net of insurance. CancerCare Plus offers coverage for major cancers, as well as early-stage cancer - all at the affordable starting price of less than 15 cents a day.
That's not all we're doing, in our fight against cancer. For every CancerCare Plus policy purchased in 2021, MSIG will be donating $10 to the Singapore Cancer Society. Plus, we'll be hosting seminars for cancer prevention and care - look out for more details coming your way.
MSIG Singapore’s CEO, Craig Ellis will retire from his role on 1 January 2022, turning the helm over to Mack Eng
10 Sep 2021
Craig Ellis, CEO and Director of MSIG Singapore, will be retiring and returning to his home country Australia. He will formally step down on 1 January 2022, turning the helm over to MSIG Asia’s Executive Vice President, Mack Eng.
Since joining the Group in January 2019 and being appointed CEO and Director of MSIG Singapore on 1 April 2019, Craig has led MSIG Singapore in his vision for the company to be Fit For The Future and has steered the company through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through his stewardship, MSIG Singapore has improved its business results from $18.5m underwriting loss in 2019 to a $18.8m underwriting profit in 2020. The company also achieved several external awards including the 2019 Skills Future Employer Award (Non-SME) and the 2020 Insurance Asia Award Claims Initiative of the Year (Singapore).
During his tenure, Craig has also contributed strongly to the general insurance industry in Singapore. He had served on the GIA Management Committee as Honorary Secretary and was also the Talent and Communications Committee convenor and Chairman of the Education and Talent Development workgroup. From March 2020, Craig was further elected as the President of the GIA and heads the GIA Management Committee which plays an influential role in shaping the industry and steering Singapore towards post-pandemic recovery and driving progress for the general insurance sector.
“Craig’s leadership and the transformation initiatives which he has put in place have positioned MSIG Singapore to be an organisation that is geared to be more fit for the future. We deeply appreciate Craig’s contributions to MSIG Singapore and the wider general insurance industry in Singapore, and would like to wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” said Alan J. Wilson, Executive Officer, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and CEO, MSIG Asia.
Mack Eng, who is currently Executive Vice President, Business Development and Digitalisation, MSIG Asia, will take on the role of CEO and be appointed as a Director of MSIG Singapore on 1 January 2022.
An industry veteran, Mack Eng joined MSIG in October 2018. At MSIG Asia, he has been proactively leading the development of the regional business and digital strategies, as well as working closely with Head Office as the Head of Global Digital Hub Singapore for their key initiatives around the region.
Before that, he has worked in senior business and leadership positions at key insurance players including Royal & Sun Alliance, Allianz, ACE and Prudential covering both local and regional business. While most of his career was spent on the General insurance side, covering both retail and corporate business through the multi-distribution channels, Mack has also been responsible for Life and Medical portfolios.
MSIG Asia's Executive Vice President, Mack Eng will take on the role of CEO and Director of MSIG Singapore on 1 January 2022.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
A leading general insurer with a local presence of over 100 years, MSIG Singapore offers an extensive range of insurance solutions for commercial and personal risk protection, enabling the security and safety of individuals and businesses. MSIG Singapore holds an A+/Stable financial rating by Standard & Poor's.
A testament to its growing strength and influence, MSIG Singapore has garnered numerous awards for delivering digitally innovative and customer-centric solutions. It was namedAsia's Most Transformative Insurer (2019) by the IDC Financial Insights and theDigital Insurer of the Year (2018) by The Asset, an independent financial research publication in Asia.
MSIG Singapore is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group – one of the largest general insurance groups in the world with presence in 46 countries and regions globally, 18 of which are in Asia Pacific including all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and India. Headquartered in Japan, MS&AD is amongst the top non-life insurance groups in the world based on gross revenue.
MSIG, a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group, is Asia's leading general insurance brand with presence in 46 countries globally. The Group is amongst the top non-life insurance groups based on gross revenue. It is the number one Japanese insurer with A+ Stable credit rating. With over 40,000 employees world-wide, MSIG is represented in all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Korea, India and Taiwan.
2021 may be coming to a rainy end, but it's been a year marked by fiery tragedy. From the fire in Tuas that claimed three workers' lives, to the ones in Ghim Moh and Jurong West, these accidents are a reminder not to underestimate the many potential fire hazards in a typical home.
They may seem harmless but you'd be surprised at how dangerous they can be. Here are just some to watch out for:
1. Flour and Starch
Let's start with the place where you get your cooking done. It's no surprise that the kitchen has its fair share of fire hazards, but some don't look like potential dangers at all.
Did you know that milk powder, chilli powder and powdered coffee creamer are flammable? In fact, it was potato starch powder that caused the Tuas fire. Powder is extra dangerous when the particles are hanging in the air and exposed to heat. This is because their surface area is huge, compared to their mass — as burning takes place on surfaces, this makes it more flammable than a bulky object.
Be mindful when handling such substances, and take precautions such as closing a tin of milk powder if it's not in use. Store them in enclosed spaces as well, away from fire sources.
2. Wine
This one barely needs an explanation. As wine is alcohol, it's a fire hazard but this can be easy to forget, especially when you're unwinding with a glass after a long day.
If you've cooked a delicious vongolé pasta or beef stew using wine, you've probably left a bottle of wine open nearby within easy reach. This is a huge no-no and can potentially lead to an accident — if you're not using the wine, make sure to close the bottle and keep it away from the stove.
3. Disinfectants and Cleaning Products
Common fixtures in bedrooms and bathrooms — and even more so, in a post-Covid era — deodorant, hand sanitiser and laundry items such as softener and detergent, are in practically every household.
Due to their alcohol content, these are flammable objects and can combust if you're not careful. As always, ensure you keep them away from an open flame and store them in a place with sufficient shade from sunlight.
4. Table Tennis Balls
Is your ping pong game on fire? It may very well be if you're not cautious! These bouncy balls can easily burn because they're made of celluloid, a flammable polymer.
As the ball — and the celluloid — gets older, substances inside such as camphor can slowly escape. When exposed to heat and sunlight, it breaks down further and increases the chances of the ball catching fire.
5. Oranges
Possibly the most shocking item on this list, this popular fruit is found in many homes. Beloved for its sweet citrusy flavour, not many people know the danger it can pose.
Dry orange peels contain an oil with a flammable chemical called limonene, which makes it unexpectedly flammable!
Truth is, our homes are full of unseen fire hazards. But instead of living in fear, you can be cautious and still have peace of mind with proper coverage.
That means finding out exactly what your current home insurance covers, and if there are any gaps to fill. For example, did you know that mortgage fire insurance only protects the building and structure of your home but not its contents? Some of the homeowners affected by the Ghim Moh fire didn't, and a crowdfunding campaign was even started to help them as their insurance did not cover their home contents.
If yours are not currently covered, get that fixed with Enhanced HomePlus. It offers up to $120,000 worth of coverage just for your household contents and personal belongings. You may also get covered for alternative accommodation and removal of debris in the event of an unfortunate accident.
Travelling during pandemic made safer with MSIG's TravelEasy
19 Nov 2021
With more Singaporeans likely to travel overseas via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme, they can now choose to be protected through MSIG’s TravelEasy insurance.
MSIG Singapore has enhanced its TravelEasy insurance to include COVID-19 coverage at no additional premium. Single trip policyholders are covered for up to S$200,000 for COVID-19 related overseas medical expenses and evacuation, valid for the first 90 days of the trip. This benefit goes up to S$500,000 for family cover.
The insurance plan also pays for COVID-19 disruptions such as pre-departure travel cancellation and postponement if the policyholder or travel companion is diagnosed with COVID-19, or is under mandatory quarantine within 30 days before the start of the trip1 .
Mr. Steven Leong, Senior Vice-President, Consumer and Digital Distribution, MSIG Singapore said, “After close to 2 years of travel restrictions, the lifting of the border closures is a welcome relief to the tourism industry and for travel-starved Singaporeans. MSIG’s TravelEasy insurance aims to provide extra reassurance for safe travelling but at no extra cost. Especially during these volatile times, our policyholders can rely on our 24-hour assistance service should they encounter any travel complications related to COVID-19 while overseas.”
Under TravelEasy’s Standard plan, the premium for a 7-day trip to South Korea starts from S$64 and for a 14-day trip to Germany premium starts from S$159.50.
From 22 November to 31 December 2021, customers can enjoy 20% discount off MSIG’s Single Trip plans using the promo code TRAVELEASY. They will be offered a free Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test worth S$138 if they purchase the Annual Trip plans.
To learn more about TravelEasy’s COVID-19 coverage, visit msig.sg/traveleasy.
For policyholders with existing annual travel insurance plans with MSIG, please contact its Customer Service to include COVID-19 cover.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
A leading general insurer with a local presence of over 100 years, MSIG Singapore offers an extensive range of insurance solutions for commercial and personal risk protection, enabling the security and safety of individuals and businesses. MSIG Singapore holds an A+/Stable financial rating by Standard & Poor's.
A testament to its growing strength and influence, MSIG Singapore has garnered numerous awards for delivering digitally innovative and customer-centric solutions. It was named Asia's Most Transformative Insurer (2019) by the IDC Financial Insights and The Digital Insurer of the Year (2018) by The Asset, an independent financial research publication in Asia.
MSIG Singapore is a subsidiary of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd, and a member of the MS&AD Insurance Group – one of the largest general insurance groups in the world with presence in 46 countries and regions globally, 18 of which are in Asia Pacific including all ASEAN markets as well as in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and India. Headquartered in Japan, MS&AD is amongst the top non-life insurance groups in the world based on gross revenue.
