When BBH’s community swat squads come together, dengue doesn’t stand a chance

BBH Asia Pacific has launched a community-based campaign rallying primary schools and community centres in Singapore to take the lead in the fight against dengue fever.

As almost everyone at BBH has either experienced or knows someone directly affected by dengue, the agency decided to act by launching a community – led initiative.

Over the next few weeks, Dengue Swat Kits are being distributed to numerous primary schools and community centres across Singapore, coinciding with the current ‘dengue season’. In schools, kids are encouraged to create their own ‘Dengue Swat Squads’ using the Dengue Swat Kit as a tool to complete the five preventative steps of – ‘Tip, Flip, Turn, Cap and Clear’ household items holding standing water.

Each Dengue Swat Kit contains a log card, where kids are given four weeks to chart their anti – dengue actions with the sign – off of a supervisor. As an added incentive, the kit includes a colorful set of instructional stickers – made as reminders. Ultimately, children are then rewarded with a ‘dengue swat squad member’ badge, which they can proudly wear.

Tampines Primary School, have taken the campaign a step further, by adopting a community park and working towards it being a dengue- free zone.   

The campaign will rollout across all community centres with a call to action to set up Dengue Swat Squads of their own.

Posters shot by local photographer Jing Quek depict some quirky Swat Squads ready for action – including The Naga Dragon Boat Swat Squad, The Toa Payoh Community Club Line Dance Swat Squad and The Sriwana Dazzlers Squad.

Said Jun Shea, Account Director, BBH Asia Pacific: “To all of us at BBH, dengue has managed to creep in one way or the other. To fight back we came up with a simple and effective idea.  A fun and engaging community project which starts with an exercise that we hope turns into a habit.”

The five steps to fight dengue are summarized in the Dengue Swat Kit as follows:

1. Tip – Change water in vases and bowls on alternative days

2. Flip – Remove water from flowerpot plates everyday

3. Turn – Keep unused water storage containers turned over

4. Cap – Cover bamboo holders when not in use

5. Clear – Remove blockage and put Bti insecticide in roof gutters monthly

The Dengue Swat Kit and more information about fighting dengue can be downloaded here.

Credits: ECD: Steve Elrick. CD: Shawn Loo. Art Director: Eirma Webster. Copywriter: Angie Featherstone. Business Director: Ara Hampartsoumian. Account Service: Jun Shea, Sheila Melbye. Producer: D’or Tey. Photographer: Jing Quek. Digital Imaging : Sok Wah Leow. Other partners: FreeFlow Productions, Avantworks, Fuse Audio Singapore.