Expat parents sound off on their emergency experiences in Beijing

• How safe is Beijing?
  
• Ever experienced an emergency?
  
• How do you prepare for emergencies?
  
• Advice for other expats?
  

Fiona Wong: Hong Kong
In Beijing for 7 years
One kid

“Quite safe. I always ask our driver to drive safely and I always put my child in the carseat even for a short distance.”

“Two years ago during Spring Festival our backyard garden was burned by the neighbors. We were in Hong Kong at the time and the management office instantly called us and told us that they sent out 20 security guards to put out fire.”

“I’m from Hong Kong so I think it’s easier for me to handle emergencies. My ayi can understand me and we have a daily routine in the house. Everyday the ayi checks for gas leaks, turns off all electric appliances and cross checks them at night before bed.”

“It’s good to have a good property management company to keep an eye on the compound, especially since expats take long holidays.”

John Van Der Zwan: New Zealand
In Beijing for 6 years
Two kids

“In terms of muggings or personal crimes, I feel safe.But from an institutional point of view, no. Certainly not on roads. You can’t rely on road rules and you also can’t believe what you are told about food safety, pollution levels and the safety of things in your home.”

“When we moved into our apartment, there was a smell of gas in the kitchen. There was a gas monitor six feet from the box and it didn’t go off. We told management and the gas company but they said it was fine. When they finally changed the pipe the smell went away.”

“We brought smoke alarms from home and a carbon monoxide alarm. We don’t have a fire extinguisher but we have one in the car. We also have emergency phone numbers readily available.”

“Take responsibility for yourself. Make sure you have smoke alarms, gas alarms, first aid kits, and that they are working. Don’t rely on local emergency services as they are not up to standard. Be self-aware. If you feel something is wrong, go with your gut, satisfy yourself.”

Liz Ward: Australia
In Beijing for 4.5 years
Two boys

“I do think it’s safe in terms of kids playing on the streets in my compound. In terms of traffic, I worry. Like the whole rule about no one being able to help you until police arrive. In fact, the school [WAB] told us that if we are driving, we should not get out of the car."

“Touch wood, nothing much. Mostly it is asthma-related. Going to the emergency room here isn’t the same as back home though. It’s often late at night and we have to wait for a taxi, and then travel to the hospital. It complicates the matter. Once at UFH though, they are very good there. The level of care is the same.”

“Our ayi has the UFH emergency number, the Shunyi ambulance number, our mobile numbers. Mostly we rely on common sense. When we take our kids in taxis we use a capsule, a kind of baby carrier that clicks into the car. But even with that, we won’t take the kids on the gaosu.”

“Ideally you should have your driver and ayi trained; it doesn’t cost a lot. You should also discuss with your ayi what to do in case of emergency. Finally, even if your ayi is a little bit worried about something, tell her she should take action.”

Richard Liu: Canada
In Beijing for 15 years
Two daughters

“I used to think it was extremely safe until my wife got mugged last year. People in Beijing are still very nice, but there’s more materialism now. But yeah, it still feels pretty safe.”

“My wife got mugged. The guy took the bag and she fell down. There was no real money in the bag. She had some minor scrapes, but it was stressful mentally because afterwards, she could not go around so easily at night.”

“Just being more aware. For her [my wife], she was out at night and got dropped off at a corner. So now, we use more logic and don’t go to places that aren’t brightly lit. 'You are not a student anymore,’ I told her. Once you’re a parent these things come into play.”

“Do what you would do back home, whatever methods you used to have preparing for worst case scenarios. Don’t wander into the wrong place at night. Don’t display your valuables. Tone down what you wear, what jewelry you display. Not to say dress shabby, but tone it down a bit.”

Kathryn Bowyer: New Zealand
In Beijing for 2.5 years
Three kids

“Yes, I do, in general. Well I guess, maybe pollution if you consider that unsafe, maybe some of the driving, lack of good medical facilities. I also wonder about the safety of over-the-counter medicines.”

“Touch wood, no, nothing. So far okay.”

“We have two ayis and they have a list of phone numbers. Me and my husband always carry our phones with us. I also keep a good supply of food in the cupboards so that if anything happened we would have enough to carry on for a few days. Bottles of water in the house as well.”

“Let your ayis know who to contact if something should happen. I also leave cash in case they have to rush the kids to the doctor. Also, make sure immunizations for your kids are up to date. Don’t try to follow the immunization schedule from China and your home country. Stick to one and look for overlap.”