diff --git a/examples/sokol/cube.v b/examples/sokol/cube.v
index a4cea15e8e..ee40fe0763 100644
--- a/examples/sokol/cube.v
+++ b/examples/sokol/cube.v
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ fn my_init(mut app App) {
 	w := 256
 	h := 256
 	sz := w * h * 4
-	tmp_txt := malloc(sz)
+	tmp_txt := unsafe {malloc(sz)}
 	mut i := 0
 	for i < sz {
 		unsafe {
@@ -370,8 +370,10 @@ fn my_init(mut app App) {
 			i += 4
 		}
 	}
-	app.texture = create_texture(w, h, tmp_txt)
-	free(tmp_txt)
+	unsafe {
+		app.texture = create_texture(w, h, tmp_txt)
+		free(tmp_txt)
+	}
 }
 
 fn cleanup(mut app App) {
diff --git a/examples/sokol/rt_glsl/rt_glsl.v b/examples/sokol/rt_glsl/rt_glsl.v
index f7ae6064f1..c5b2b9e751 100644
--- a/examples/sokol/rt_glsl/rt_glsl.v
+++ b/examples/sokol/rt_glsl/rt_glsl.v
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ fn my_init(mut app App) {
 	w := 256
 	h := 256
 	sz := w * h * 4
-	tmp_txt := malloc(sz)
+	tmp_txt := unsafe {malloc(sz)}
 	mut i := 0
 	for i < sz {
 		unsafe {
@@ -360,9 +360,10 @@ fn my_init(mut app App) {
 			i += 4
 		}
 	}
-	app.texture = create_texture(w, h, tmp_txt)
-	free(tmp_txt)
-	
+	unsafe {
+		app.texture = create_texture(w, h, tmp_txt)
+		free(tmp_txt)
+	}
 	// glsl
 	init_cube_glsl(mut app)
 	app.init_flag = true
diff --git a/examples/term.ui/text_editor.v b/examples/term.ui/text_editor.v
index 6a537c293a..74ac41789d 100644
--- a/examples/term.ui/text_editor.v
+++ b/examples/term.ui/text_editor.v
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ fn (mut b Buffer) free() {
 		eprintln(@MOD + '.' + @STRUCT + '::' + @FN)
 	}
 	for line in b.lines {
-		line.free()
+		unsafe {line.free()}
 	}
 	unsafe { b.lines.free() }
 }
diff --git a/examples/ttf_font/example_ttf.v b/examples/ttf_font/example_ttf.v
index d812984417..8fc696dcfa 100644
--- a/examples/ttf_font/example_ttf.v
+++ b/examples/ttf_font/example_ttf.v
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ fn main() {
 	app.ttf_render << &ttf.TTF_render_Sokol{
 		bmp: &ttf.BitMap{
 			tf: &(app.tf[0])
-			buf: malloc(32000000)
+			buf: unsafe {malloc(32000000)}
 			buf_size: (32000000)
 			color: 0xFF0000FF
 			// style: .raw
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/array.v b/vlib/builtin/array.v
index 31e35daf69..fead1cccfe 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/array.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/array.v
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ fn (mut a array) ensure_cap(required int) {
 	new_size := cap * a.element_size
 	mut new_data := byteptr(0)
 	if a.cap > 0 {
-		new_data = v_realloc(a.data, new_size)
+		new_data = unsafe { v_realloc(a.data, new_size) }
 	} else {
 		new_data = vcalloc(new_size)
 	}
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ pub fn (mut a array) pop() voidptr {
 	a.len = new_len
 	// NB: a.cap is not changed here *on purpose*, so that
 	// further << ops on that array will be more efficient.
-	return memdup(last_elem, a.element_size)
+	return unsafe { memdup(last_elem, a.element_size) }
 }
 
 // delete_last efficiently deletes the last element of the array.
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ pub fn (a []string) str() string {
 // hex returns a string with the hexadecimal representation
 // of the byte elements of the array.
 pub fn (b []byte) hex() string {
-	mut hex := malloc(b.len * 2 + 1)
+	mut hex := unsafe { malloc(b.len * 2 + 1) }
 	mut dst_i := 0
 	for i in b {
 		n0 := i >> 4
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/builtin.c.v b/vlib/builtin/builtin.c.v
index 7b9998bd8c..361e97c848 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/builtin.c.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/builtin.c.v
@@ -216,7 +216,6 @@ pub fn v_realloc(b byteptr, n int) byteptr {
 
 // v_calloc dynamically allocates a zeroed `n` bytes block of memory on the heap.
 // v_calloc returns a `byteptr` pointing to the memory address of the allocated space.
-[unsafe]
 pub fn v_calloc(n int) byteptr {
 	return C.calloc(1, n)
 }
@@ -224,7 +223,6 @@ pub fn v_calloc(n int) byteptr {
 // vcalloc dynamically allocates a zeroed `n` bytes block of memory on the heap.
 // vcalloc returns a `byteptr` pointing to the memory address of the allocated space.
 // Unlike `v_calloc` vcalloc checks for negative values given in `n`.
-[unsafe]
 pub fn vcalloc(n int) byteptr {
 	if n < 0 {
 		panic('calloc(<=0)')
@@ -246,6 +244,7 @@ pub fn free(ptr voidptr) {
 // memdup dynamically allocates a `sz` bytes block of memory on the heap
 // memdup then copies the contents of `src` into the allocated space and
 // returns a pointer to the newly allocated space.
+[unsafe]
 pub fn memdup(src voidptr, sz int) voidptr {
 	if sz == 0 {
 		return vcalloc(1)
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/builtin_nix.c.v b/vlib/builtin/builtin_nix.c.v
index ce47656a84..4728ee6199 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/builtin_nix.c.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/builtin_nix.c.v
@@ -116,8 +116,10 @@ fn print_backtrace_skipping_top_frames_linux(skipframes int) bool {
 			}
 			buf := [1000]byte{}
 			mut output := ''
-			for C.fgets(charptr(buf), 1000, f) != 0 {
-				output += tos(byteptr(buf), vstrlen(byteptr(buf)))
+			unsafe {
+				for C.fgets(charptr(buf), 1000, f) != 0 {
+					output += tos(byteptr(buf), vstrlen(byteptr(buf)))
+				}
 			}
 			output = output.trim_space() + ':'
 			if C.pclose(f) != 0 {
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/int.v b/vlib/builtin/int.v
index 38f2d09e12..5aa2bb00e7 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/int.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/int.v
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ fn (nn int) str_l(max int) string {
 	if n == 0 {
 		return '0'
 	}
-	mut buf := malloc(max + 1)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(max + 1)}
 	mut is_neg := false
 	if n < 0 {
 		n = -n
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ pub fn (nn u32) str() string {
 		return '0'
 	}
 	max := 12
-	mut buf := malloc(max + 1)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(max + 1)}
 	mut index := max
 	unsafe {
 		buf[index--] = `\0`
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ fn u64_to_hex(nn u64, len byte) string {
 		n = n >> 4
 	}
 	return string{
-		str: memdup(buf, len + 1)
+		str: unsafe {memdup(buf, len + 1)}
 		len: len
 	}
 }
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ fn u64_to_hex_no_leading_zeros(nn u64, len byte) string {
 	}
 	res_len := len - i
 	return string{
-		str: memdup(&buf[i], res_len + 1)
+		str: unsafe {memdup(&buf[i], res_len + 1)}
 		len: res_len
 	}
 }
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ pub fn (b byte) str() string {
 // Example: assert byte(97).ascii_str() == 'a'
 pub fn (b byte) ascii_str() string {
 	mut str := string{
-		str: malloc(2)
+		str: unsafe {malloc(2)}
 		len: 1
 	}
 	unsafe {
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/map.v b/vlib/builtin/map.v
index 82195c53e6..b027853fb7 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/map.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/map.v
@@ -107,7 +107,6 @@ mut:
 }
 
 [inline]
-[unsafe]
 fn new_dense_array(key_bytes int, value_bytes int) DenseArray {
 	slot_bytes := key_bytes + value_bytes
 	cap := 8
@@ -119,7 +118,7 @@ fn new_dense_array(key_bytes int, value_bytes int) DenseArray {
 		len: 0
 		deletes: 0
 		all_deleted: 0
-		data: malloc(cap * slot_bytes)
+		data: unsafe { malloc(cap * slot_bytes) }
 	}
 }
 
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ fn (mut d DenseArray) expand() int {
 // Move all zeros to the end of the array and resize array
 fn (mut d DenseArray) zeros_to_end() {
 	// TODO alloca?
-	mut tmp_buf := malloc(d.slot_bytes)
+	mut tmp_buf := unsafe { malloc(d.slot_bytes) }
 	mut count := 0
 	for i in 0 .. d.len {
 		if d.has_index(i) {
@@ -179,10 +178,12 @@ fn (mut d DenseArray) zeros_to_end() {
 			count++
 		}
 	}
-	free(tmp_buf)
-	d.deletes = 0
-	// TODO: reallocate instead as more deletes are likely
-	free(d.all_deleted)
+	unsafe {
+		free(tmp_buf)
+		d.deletes = 0
+		// TODO: reallocate instead as more deletes are likely
+		free(d.all_deleted)
+	}
 	d.len = count
 	d.cap = if count < 8 { 8 } else { count }
 	unsafe {
@@ -303,7 +304,9 @@ fn map_clone_int_8(dest voidptr, pkey voidptr) {
 }
 
 fn map_free_string(pkey voidptr) {
-	(*unsafe { &string(pkey) }).free()
+	unsafe {
+		(*&string(pkey)).free()
+	}
 }
 
 fn map_free_nop(_ voidptr) {
@@ -617,10 +620,13 @@ fn (mut d DenseArray) delete(i int) {
 
 // delete this
 pub fn (mut m map) delete(key string) {
-	m.delete_1(&key)
+	unsafe {
+		m.delete_1(&key)
+	}
 }
 
 // Removes the mapping of a particular key from the map.
+[unsafe]
 pub fn (mut m map) delete_1(key voidptr) {
 	mut index, mut meta := m.key_to_index(key)
 	index, meta = m.meta_less(index, meta)
@@ -737,7 +743,7 @@ pub fn (m &map) clone() map {
 		cached_hashbits: m.cached_hashbits
 		shift: m.shift
 		key_values: unsafe { m.key_values.clone() }
-		metas: &u32(malloc(metasize))
+		metas: unsafe { &u32(malloc(metasize)) }
 		extra_metas: m.extra_metas
 		len: m.len
 		has_string_keys: m.has_string_keys
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/sorted_map.v b/vlib/builtin/sorted_map.v
index 9fdd0eab9c..5c492d1183 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/sorted_map.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/sorted_map.v
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ fn (mut m SortedMap) set(key string, value voidptr) {
 				j--
 			}
 			node.keys[j + 1] = key
-			node.values[j + 1] = malloc(m.value_bytes)
 			unsafe {
+				node.values[j + 1] = malloc(m.value_bytes)
 				C.memcpy(node.values[j + 1], value, m.value_bytes)
 			}
 			node.len++
@@ -129,17 +129,17 @@ fn (mut n mapnode) split_child(child_index int, mut y mapnode) {
 		z.values[j] = y.values[j + degree]
 	}
 	if !isnil(y.children) {
-		z.children = &voidptr(malloc(int(children_bytes)))
+		z.children = unsafe {&voidptr(malloc(int(children_bytes)))}
 		for jj := degree - 1; jj >= 0; jj-- {
 			unsafe {
 				z.children[jj] = y.children[jj + degree]
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if isnil(n.children) {
-		n.children = &voidptr(malloc(int(children_bytes)))
-	}
 	unsafe {
+		if isnil(n.children) {
+			n.children = &voidptr(malloc(int(children_bytes)))
+		}
 		n.children[n.len + 1] = n.children[n.len]
 	}
 	for j := n.len; j > child_index; j-- {
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/string.v b/vlib/builtin/string.v
index 7ed4542ab0..5687f7b222 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/string.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/string.v
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ pub fn vstrlen(s byteptr) int {
 
 // tos converts a C string to a V string.
 // String data is reused, not copied.
-[unsafe]
+//[unsafe]
 pub fn tos(s byteptr, len int) string {
 	// This should never happen.
 	if s == 0 {
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ pub fn tos2(s byteptr) string {
 	}
 	return string{
 		str: s
-		len: vstrlen(s)
+		len: unsafe { vstrlen(s) }
 	}
 }
 
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ pub fn (s string) replace(rep string, with string) string {
 	}
 	// Now we know the number of replacements we need to do and we can calc the len of the new string
 	new_len := s.len + idxs.len * (with.len - rep.len)
-	mut b := malloc(new_len + 1) // add a newline just in case
+	mut b := unsafe { malloc(new_len + 1) } // add a newline just in case
 	// Fill the new string
 	mut idx_pos := 0
 	mut cur_idx := idxs[idx_pos]
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ pub fn (s string) replace_each(vals []string) string {
 		return s
 	}
 	idxs.sort2()
-	mut b := malloc(new_len + 1) // add a \0 just in case
+	mut b := unsafe { malloc(new_len + 1) } // add a \0 just in case
 	// Fill the new string
 	mut idx_pos := 0
 	mut cur_idx := idxs[idx_pos]
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ fn (s string) ge(a string) bool {
 fn (s string) add(a string) string {
 	new_len := a.len + s.len
 	mut res := string{
-		str: malloc(new_len + 1)
+		str: unsafe { malloc(new_len + 1) }
 		len: new_len
 	}
 	for j in 0 .. s.len {
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ pub fn (s string) substr(start int, end int) string {
 		return s.clone()
 	}
 	mut res := string{
-		str: malloc(len + 1)
+		str: unsafe { malloc(len + 1) }
 		len: len
 	}
 	for i in 0 .. len {
@@ -1384,6 +1384,7 @@ pub fn (c byte) is_letter() bool {
 }
 
 // free allows for manually freeing the memory occupied by the string
+[unsafe]
 pub fn (s &string) free() {
 	$if prealloc {
 		return
@@ -1395,7 +1396,9 @@ pub fn (s &string) free() {
 	if s.is_lit == 1 || s.len == 0 {
 		return
 	}
-	free(s.str)
+	unsafe {
+		free(s.str)
+	}
 	s.is_lit = -98761234
 }
 
@@ -1489,7 +1492,7 @@ pub fn (a []string) join(del string) string {
 	// Allocate enough memory
 	mut res := ''
 	res.len = len
-	res.str = malloc(res.len + 1)
+	res.str = unsafe { malloc(res.len + 1) }
 	mut idx := 0
 	// Go thru every string and copy its every char one by one
 	for i, val in a {
@@ -1527,7 +1530,7 @@ pub fn (s string) reverse() string {
 		return s
 	}
 	mut res := string{
-		str: malloc(s.len)
+		str: unsafe { malloc(s.len) }
 		len: s.len
 	}
 	for i := s.len - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
@@ -1586,7 +1589,7 @@ pub fn (s string) repeat(count int) string {
 	} else if count == 1 {
 		return s
 	}
-	mut ret := malloc(s.len * count + 1)
+	mut ret := unsafe { malloc(s.len * count + 1) }
 	for i in 0 .. count {
 		for j in 0 .. s.len {
 			unsafe {
@@ -1635,7 +1638,7 @@ pub fn (s string) strip_margin_custom(del byte) string {
 	}
 	// don't know how much space the resulting string will be, but the max it
 	// can be is this big
-	mut ret := malloc(s.len + 1)
+	mut ret := unsafe { malloc(s.len + 1) }
 	mut count := 0
 	for i := 0; i < s.len; i++ {
 		if s[i] in [`\n`, `\r`] {
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/utf8.c.v b/vlib/builtin/utf8.c.v
index 8039526e78..a6cc2e3896 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/utf8.c.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/utf8.c.v
@@ -6,14 +6,16 @@ const (
 
 pub fn (_str string) to_wide() &u16 {
 	$if windows {
-		num_chars := (C.MultiByteToWideChar(cp_utf8, 0, charptr(_str.str), _str.len, 0,
-			0))
-		mut wstr := &u16(malloc((num_chars + 1) * 2)) // sizeof(wchar_t)
-		if wstr != 0 {
-			C.MultiByteToWideChar(cp_utf8, 0, charptr(_str.str), _str.len, wstr, num_chars)
-			unsafe {C.memset(&byte(wstr) + num_chars * 2, 0, 2)}
+		unsafe {
+			num_chars := (C.MultiByteToWideChar(cp_utf8, 0, charptr(_str.str), _str.len, 0,
+				0))
+			mut wstr := &u16(malloc((num_chars + 1) * 2)) // sizeof(wchar_t)
+			if wstr != 0 {
+				C.MultiByteToWideChar(cp_utf8, 0, charptr(_str.str), _str.len, wstr, num_chars)
+				C.memset(&byte(wstr) + num_chars * 2, 0, 2)
+			}
+			return wstr
 		}
-		return wstr
 	} $else {
 		return 0
 	}
@@ -21,8 +23,10 @@ pub fn (_str string) to_wide() &u16 {
 
 pub fn string_from_wide(_wstr &u16) string {
 	$if windows {
-		wstr_len := C.wcslen(_wstr)
-		return string_from_wide2(_wstr, wstr_len)
+		unsafe {
+			wstr_len := C.wcslen(_wstr)
+			return string_from_wide2(_wstr, wstr_len)
+		}
 	} $else {
 		return ''
 	}
@@ -30,14 +34,16 @@ pub fn string_from_wide(_wstr &u16) string {
 
 pub fn string_from_wide2(_wstr &u16, len int) string {
 	$if windows {
-		num_chars := C.WideCharToMultiByte(cp_utf8, 0, _wstr, len, 0, 0, 0, 0)
-		mut str_to := malloc(num_chars + 1)
-		if str_to != 0 {
-			C.WideCharToMultiByte(cp_utf8, 0, _wstr, len, charptr(str_to), num_chars,
-				0, 0)
-			unsafe {C.memset(str_to + num_chars, 0, 1)}
+		unsafe {
+			num_chars := C.WideCharToMultiByte(cp_utf8, 0, _wstr, len, 0, 0, 0, 0)
+			mut str_to := malloc(num_chars + 1)
+			if str_to != 0 {
+				C.WideCharToMultiByte(cp_utf8, 0, _wstr, len, charptr(str_to), num_chars,
+					0, 0)
+				C.memset(str_to + num_chars, 0, 1)
+			}
+			return tos2(str_to)
 		}
-		return tos2(str_to)
 	} $else {
 		return ''
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/builtin/utf8.v b/vlib/builtin/utf8.v
index 9ce0ffa05c..6901a2becf 100644
--- a/vlib/builtin/utf8.v
+++ b/vlib/builtin/utf8.v
@@ -10,10 +10,13 @@ pub fn utf8_char_len(b byte) int {
 // Convert utf32 to utf8
 // utf32 == Codepoint
 pub fn utf32_to_str(code u32) string {
-	mut buffer := malloc(5)
-	return utf32_to_str_no_malloc(code, buffer)
+	unsafe {
+		mut buffer := malloc(5)
+		return utf32_to_str_no_malloc(code, buffer)
+	}
 }
 
+[unsafe]
 pub fn utf32_to_str_no_malloc(code u32, buf voidptr) string {
 	icode := int(code) // Prevents doing casts everywhere
 	mut res := ''
diff --git a/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_linux.c.v b/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_linux.c.v
index 7bccf4fe5f..fd7dbe1cef 100644
--- a/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_linux.c.v
+++ b/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_linux.c.v
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ pub fn read(bytes_needed int) ?[]byte {
 		}
 		rbytes := getrandom(batch_size, bstart)
 		if rbytes == -1 {
-			free(buffer)
+			unsafe { free(buffer) }
 			return read_error
 		}
 		bytes_read += rbytes
diff --git a/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_windows.c.v b/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_windows.c.v
index 4d68e155de..8059aef548 100644
--- a/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_windows.c.v
+++ b/vlib/crypto/rand/rand_windows.c.v
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ const (
 
 // read returns an array of `bytes_needed` random bytes read from the OS.
 pub fn read(bytes_needed int) ?[]byte {
-	mut buffer := malloc(bytes_needed)
+	mut buffer := unsafe {malloc(bytes_needed)}
 	// use bcrypt_use_system_preferred_rng because we passed null as algo
 	status := C.BCryptGenRandom(0, buffer, bytes_needed, bcrypt_use_system_preferred_rng)
 	if status != status_success {
diff --git a/vlib/encoding/base64/base64.v b/vlib/encoding/base64/base64.v
index 61586428bf..a7a838ee8a 100644
--- a/vlib/encoding/base64/base64.v
+++ b/vlib/encoding/base64/base64.v
@@ -21,8 +21,10 @@ pub fn decode(data string) string {
 	if size <= 0 {
 		return ''
 	}
-	buffer := malloc(size)
-	return tos(buffer, decode_in_buffer(data, buffer))
+	unsafe {
+		buffer := malloc(size)
+		return tos(buffer, decode_in_buffer(data, buffer))
+	}
 }
 
 // encode encodes the `string` value passed in `data` to base64.
@@ -34,8 +36,10 @@ pub fn encode(data string) string {
 	if size <= 0 {
 		return ''
 	}
-	buffer := malloc(size)
-	return tos(buffer, encode_in_buffer(data, buffer))
+	unsafe {
+		buffer := malloc(size)
+		return tos(buffer, encode_in_buffer(data, buffer))
+	}
 }
 
 // decode_url returns a decoded URL `string` version of
diff --git a/vlib/encoding/utf8/utf8_util.v b/vlib/encoding/utf8/utf8_util.v
index 73f444ca58..5479d26627 100644
--- a/vlib/encoding/utf8/utf8_util.v
+++ b/vlib/encoding/utf8/utf8_util.v
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ fn utf8util_char_len(b byte) int {
 // up_low make the dirt job
 fn up_low(s string, upper_flag bool) string {
 	mut index := 0
-	mut str_res := malloc(s.len + 1)
+	mut str_res := unsafe {malloc(s.len + 1)}
 
 	for {
 		ch_len := utf8util_char_len(s[index])
@@ -289,11 +289,9 @@ fn up_low(s string, upper_flag bool) string {
 	// for c compatibility set the ending 0
 	unsafe {
 		str_res[index] = 0
+		//C.printf("str_res: %s\n--------------\n",str_res)
+		return tos(str_res, s.len)
 	}
-
-	//C.printf("str_res: %s\n--------------\n",str_res)
-
-	return tos(str_res, s.len)
 }
 
 // find_char_in_table utility function for up_low, search utf8 chars in the conversion table
diff --git a/vlib/mysql/mysql.v b/vlib/mysql/mysql.v
index 3b29d8d408..04346b8b90 100644
--- a/vlib/mysql/mysql.v
+++ b/vlib/mysql/mysql.v
@@ -125,9 +125,11 @@ pub fn (conn &Connection) tables(wildcard string) ?[]string {
 // The `s` argument is encoded to produce an escaped SQL string, 
 // taking into account the current character set of the connection. 
 pub fn (conn &Connection) escape_string(s string) string {
-	to := malloc(2 * s.len + 1)
-	C.mysql_real_escape_string_quote(conn.conn, to, s.str, s.len, `\'`)
-	return unsafe { to.vstring() }
+	unsafe {
+		to := malloc(2 * s.len + 1)
+		C.mysql_real_escape_string_quote(conn.conn, to, s.str, s.len, `\'`)
+		return to.vstring() 
+	}
 }
 
 // set_option - sets extra connect options that affect the behavior of
diff --git a/vlib/net/http/backend_windows.c.v b/vlib/net/http/backend_windows.c.v
index ee3ab5ebce..b494b825bb 100644
--- a/vlib/net/http/backend_windows.c.v
+++ b/vlib/net/http/backend_windows.c.v
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ fn C.new_tls_context() C.TlsContext
 fn (req &Request) ssl_do(port int, method Method, host_name string, path string) ?Response {
 	mut ctx := C.new_tls_context()
 	C.vschannel_init(&ctx)
-	mut buff := malloc(C.vsc_init_resp_buff_size)
+	mut buff := unsafe {malloc(C.vsc_init_resp_buff_size)}
 	addr := host_name
 	sdata := req.build_request_headers(method, host_name, path)
 	length := int(C.request(&ctx, port, addr.to_wide(), sdata.str, &buff))
diff --git a/vlib/net/tcp.v b/vlib/net/tcp.v
index d20bcc87ee..cdb4d09a96 100644
--- a/vlib/net/tcp.v
+++ b/vlib/net/tcp.v
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ pub fn (c &TcpConn) peer_ip() ?string {
 	if cstr == 0 {
 		return error('net.peer_ip: inet_ntop failed')
 	}
-	res := cstring_to_vstring(cstr)
+	res := unsafe {cstring_to_vstring(cstr)}
 	return res
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/os/environment.c.v b/vlib/os/environment.c.v
index 17b29e5d4c..705833b653 100644
--- a/vlib/os/environment.c.v
+++ b/vlib/os/environment.c.v
@@ -12,19 +12,21 @@ fn C.FreeEnvironmentStringsW(&u16) int
 
 // `getenv` returns the value of the environment variable named by the key.
 pub fn getenv(key string) string {
-	$if windows {
-		s := C._wgetenv(key.to_wide())
-		if s == 0 {
-			return ''
+	unsafe {
+		$if windows {
+			s := C._wgetenv(key.to_wide())
+			if s == 0 {
+				return ''
+			}
+			return string_from_wide(s)
+		} $else {
+			s := C.getenv(charptr(key.str))
+			if s == voidptr(0) {
+				return ''
+			}
+			// NB: C.getenv *requires* that the result be copied.
+			return cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(s))
 		}
-		return string_from_wide(s)
-	} $else {
-		s := C.getenv(charptr(key.str))
-		if s == voidptr(0) {
-			return ''
-		}
-		// NB: C.getenv *requires* that the result be copied.
-		return cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(s))
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/os/fd.c.v b/vlib/os/fd.c.v
index 7fe9032940..b10abdfec5 100644
--- a/vlib/os/fd.c.v
+++ b/vlib/os/fd.c.v
@@ -36,14 +36,14 @@ pub fn fd_slurp(fd int) []string {
 // read from filedescriptor, don't block
 // return [bytestring,nrbytes]
 pub fn fd_read(fd int, maxbytes int) (string, int) {
-	mut buf := malloc(maxbytes)
-	nbytes := C.read(fd, buf, maxbytes)
-	if nbytes < 0 {
-		free(buf)
-		return '', nbytes
-	}
 	unsafe {
+		mut buf := malloc(maxbytes)
+		nbytes := C.read(fd, buf, maxbytes)
+		if nbytes < 0 {
+			free(buf)
+			return '', nbytes
+		}
 		buf[nbytes] = 0
+		return tos(buf, nbytes), nbytes
 	}
-	return tos(buf, nbytes), nbytes
 }
diff --git a/vlib/os/os.v b/vlib/os/os.v
index d2a6de63a1..db994acca5 100644
--- a/vlib/os/os.v
+++ b/vlib/os/os.v
@@ -600,8 +600,10 @@ pub fn resource_abs_path(path string) string {
 	}
 	fp := join_path(base_path, path)
 	res := real_path(fp)
-	fp.free()
-	base_path.free()
+	unsafe {
+		fp.free()
+		base_path.free()
+	}
 	return res
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/os/os_c.v b/vlib/os/os_c.v
index 82b544d26a..31616091e3 100644
--- a/vlib/os/os_c.v
+++ b/vlib/os/os_c.v
@@ -715,21 +715,25 @@ pub fn chdir(path string) {
 pub fn getwd() string {
 	$if windows {
 		max := 512 // max_path_len * sizeof(wchar_t)
-		buf := &u16(vcalloc(max * 2))
-		if C._wgetcwd(buf, max) == 0 {
-			free(buf)
-			return ''
+		unsafe {
+			buf := &u16(vcalloc(max * 2))
+			if C._wgetcwd(buf, max) == 0 {
+				free(buf)
+				return ''
+			}
+			return string_from_wide(buf)
 		}
-		return string_from_wide(buf)
 	} $else {
 		buf := vcalloc(512)
-		if C.getcwd(charptr(buf), 512) == 0 {
+		unsafe {
+			if C.getcwd(charptr(buf), 512) == 0 {
+				free(buf)
+				return ''
+			}
+			res := buf.vstring().clone()
 			free(buf)
-			return ''
+			return res
 		}
-		res := unsafe { buf.vstring() }.clone()
-		free(buf)
-		return res
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/os/os_nix.c.v b/vlib/os/os_nix.c.v
index 30d4cfa3ce..fde3160424 100644
--- a/vlib/os/os_nix.c.v
+++ b/vlib/os/os_nix.c.v
@@ -54,16 +54,18 @@ fn C.symlink(charptr, charptr) int
 pub fn uname() Uname {
 	mut u := Uname{}
 	utsize := sizeof(C.utsname)
-	x := malloc(int(utsize))
-	d := &C.utsname(x)
-	if C.uname(d) == 0 {
-		u.sysname = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.sysname))
-		u.nodename = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.nodename))
-		u.release = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.release))
-		u.version = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.version))
-		u.machine = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.machine))
+	unsafe {
+		x := malloc(int(utsize))
+		d := &C.utsname(x)
+		if C.uname(d) == 0 {
+			u.sysname = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.sysname))
+			u.nodename = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.nodename))
+			u.release = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.release))
+			u.version = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.version))
+			u.machine = cstring_to_vstring(byteptr(d.machine))
+		}
+		free(d)
 	}
-	free(d)
 	return u
 }
 
@@ -166,9 +168,11 @@ pub fn exec(cmd string) ?Result {
 	}
 	buf := [4096]byte{}
 	mut res := strings.new_builder(1024)
-	for C.fgets(charptr(buf), 4096, f) != 0 {
-		bufbp := byteptr(buf)
-		res.write_bytes(bufbp, vstrlen(bufbp))
+	unsafe {
+		for C.fgets(charptr(buf), 4096, f) != 0 {
+			bufbp := byteptr(buf)
+			res.write_bytes(bufbp, vstrlen(bufbp))
+		}
 	}
 	soutput := res.str()
 	// res.free()
diff --git a/vlib/picoev/picoev.v b/vlib/picoev/picoev.v
index 866f0229ad..07ba1b9ce8 100644
--- a/vlib/picoev/picoev.v
+++ b/vlib/picoev/picoev.v
@@ -262,8 +262,8 @@ pub fn new(port int, cb voidptr) &Picoev {
 		loop: loop
 		cb: cb
 		date: C.get_date()
-		buf: malloc(max_fds * max_read + 1)
-		out: malloc(max_fds * max_write + 1)
+		buf: unsafe { malloc(max_fds * max_read + 1) }
+		out: unsafe { malloc(max_fds * max_write + 1) }
 	}
 	C.picoev_add(loop, fd, C.PICOEV_READ, 0, accept_callback, pv)
 	go update_date(mut pv)
diff --git a/vlib/rand/rand.v b/vlib/rand/rand.v
index f5a557c556..b2d0f76cc3 100644
--- a/vlib/rand/rand.v
+++ b/vlib/rand/rand.v
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ const (
 
 // string returns a string of length `len` containing random characters in range `[a-zA-Z]`.
 pub fn string(len int) string {
-	mut buf := malloc(len)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(len)}
 	for i in 0 .. len {
 		unsafe {
 			buf[i] = rand.chars[intn(rand.chars.len)]
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ const (
 
 // hex returns a hexadecimal number of length `len` containing random characters in range `[a-f0-9]`.
 pub fn hex(len int) string {
-	mut buf := malloc(len)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(len)}
 	for i in 0 .. len {
 		unsafe {
 			buf[i] = rand.hex_chars[intn(rand.hex_chars.len)]
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ const (
 
 // ascii returns a random string of the printable ASCII characters with length `len`.
 pub fn ascii(len int) string {
-	mut buf := malloc(len)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(len)}
 	for i in 0 .. len {
 		unsafe {
 			buf[i] = rand.ascii_chars[intn(rand.ascii_chars.len)]
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ pub fn ascii(len int) string {
 // See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universally_unique_identifier#Version_4_(random)
 pub fn uuid_v4() string {
 	buflen := 36
-	mut buf := malloc(37)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(37)}
 	mut i_buf := 0
 	mut x := u64(0)
 	mut d := byte(0)
@@ -219,8 +219,8 @@ pub fn uuid_v4() string {
 		buf[23] = `-`
 		buf[14] = `4`
 		buf[buflen] = 0
+		return buf.vstring_with_len(buflen)
 	}
-	return unsafe { buf.vstring_with_len(buflen) }
 }
 
 const (
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ pub fn ulid() string {
 // ulid_at_millisecond does the same as `ulid` but takes a custom Unix millisecond timestamp via `unix_time_milli`.
 pub fn ulid_at_millisecond(unix_time_milli u64) string {
 	buflen := 26
-	mut buf := malloc(27)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(27)}
 	mut t := unix_time_milli
 	mut i := 9
 	for i >= 0 {
@@ -271,6 +271,6 @@ pub fn ulid_at_millisecond(unix_time_milli u64) string {
 	}
 	unsafe {
 		buf[26] = 0
+		return buf.vstring_with_len(buflen)
 	}
-	return unsafe { buf.vstring_with_len(buflen) }
 }
diff --git a/vlib/sync/channels.v b/vlib/sync/channels.v
index 665e24bca4..017a75a74e 100644
--- a/vlib/sync/channels.v
+++ b/vlib/sync/channels.v
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ pub fn new_channel<T>(n u32) &Channel {
 fn new_channel_st(n u32, st u32) &Channel {
 	wsem := if n > 0 { n } else { 1 }
 	rsem := if n > 0 { u32(0) } else { 1 }
-	rbuf := if n > 0 { malloc(int(n * st)) } else { byteptr(0) }
+	rbuf := if n > 0 { unsafe {malloc(int(n * st))} } else { byteptr(0) }
 	sbuf := if n > 0 { vcalloc(int(n * 2)) } else { byteptr(0) }
 	mut ch := &Channel{
 		objsize: st
diff --git a/vlib/term/ui/termios_nix.c.v b/vlib/term/ui/termios_nix.c.v
index f612711668..267fc4da05 100644
--- a/vlib/term/ui/termios_nix.c.v
+++ b/vlib/term/ui/termios_nix.c.v
@@ -164,12 +164,13 @@ fn (mut ctx Context) termios_setup() ? {
 
 fn get_cursor_position() (int, int) {
 	print('\033[6n')
-	buf := malloc(25)
-	len := C.read(C.STDIN_FILENO, buf, 24)
+	mut s := ''
 	unsafe {
+		buf := malloc(25)
+		len := C.read(C.STDIN_FILENO, buf, 24)
 		buf[len] = 0
+		s = tos(buf, len)
 	}
-	s := tos(buf, len)
 	a := s[2..].split(';')
 	if a.len != 2 {
 		return -1, -1
@@ -186,12 +187,13 @@ fn supports_truecolor() bool {
 	print('\x1b[48:2:1:2:3m')
 	// andquery the current color
 	print('\x1bP\$qm\x1b\\')
-	buf := malloc(25)
-	len := C.read(C.STDIN_FILENO, buf, 24)
+	mut s := ''
 	unsafe {
+		buf := malloc(25)
+		len := C.read(C.STDIN_FILENO, buf, 24)
 		buf[len] = 0
+		s = tos(buf, len)
 	}
-	s := tos(buf, len)
 	return '1:2:3' in s
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/time/parse.v b/vlib/time/parse.v
index 72bcb5931c..411c1b5512 100644
--- a/vlib/time/parse.v
+++ b/vlib/time/parse.v
@@ -35,15 +35,12 @@ pub fn parse_rfc2822(s string) ?Time {
 	}
 	pos := months_string.index(fields[2]) or { return error('Invalid time format: $s') }
 	mm := pos / 3 + 1
-	mut tmstr := byteptr(0)
 	unsafe {
-		tmstr = malloc(s.len * 2)
+		tmstr := malloc(s.len * 2)
+		count := C.snprintf(charptr(tmstr), (s.len * 2), '%s-%02d-%s %s', fields[3].str,
+			mm, fields[1].str, fields[4].str)
+		return parse(tos(tmstr, count))
 	}
-	count := unsafe {
-		C.snprintf(charptr(tmstr), (s.len * 2), '%s-%02d-%s %s', fields[3].str, mm, fields[1].str,
-			fields[4].str)
-	}
-	return parse(tos(tmstr, count))
 }
 
 // ----- iso8601 -----
diff --git a/vlib/v/checker/checker.v b/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
index a1834960ff..2a9d238e55 100644
--- a/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
+++ b/vlib/v/checker/checker.v
@@ -1872,8 +1872,8 @@ pub fn (mut c Checker) call_fn(mut call_expr ast.CallExpr) table.Type {
 	if f.is_deprecated {
 		c.warn('function `$f.name` has been deprecated', call_expr.pos)
 	}
-	if f.is_unsafe && !c.inside_unsafe && f.language == .c && f.name[2] in [`m`, `s`]
-		&& f.mod == 'builtin' {
+	if f.is_unsafe && !c.inside_unsafe
+		&& (f.language != .c || (f.name[2] in [`m`, `s`] && f.mod == 'builtin')) {
 		// builtin C.m*, C.s* only - temp
 		c.warn('function `$f.name` must be called from an `unsafe` block', call_expr.pos)
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/vweb/vweb.v b/vlib/vweb/vweb.v
index 445be7a935..98708669c2 100644
--- a/vlib/vweb/vweb.v
+++ b/vlib/vweb/vweb.v
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ pub fn (mut ctx Context) send_response_to_client(mimetype string, res string) bo
 	}
 	s := sb.str()
 	defer {
-		s.free()
+		unsafe { s.free() }
 	}
 	send_string(mut ctx.conn, s) or { return false }
 	return true
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ fn handle_conn<T>(mut conn net.TcpConn, mut app T) {
 			return
 		}
 		app.send_response_to_client(mime_type, data)
-		data.free()
+		unsafe { data.free() }
 		return
 	}
 	app.init()
diff --git a/vlib/x/ttf/common.v b/vlib/x/ttf/common.v
index c05731ea0b..4c91ccf935 100644
--- a/vlib/x/ttf/common.v
+++ b/vlib/x/ttf/common.v
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ fn (mut bmp BitMap) format_texture() {
 // write out a .ppm file
 pub fn (mut bmp BitMap) save_as_ppm(file_name string) {
 	tmp_buf := bmp.buf
-	mut buf := malloc(bmp.buf_size)
+	mut buf := unsafe {malloc(bmp.buf_size)}
 	unsafe { C.memcpy(buf, tmp_buf, bmp.buf_size) }
 	bmp.buf = buf
 
@@ -108,7 +108,9 @@ pub fn (mut bmp BitMap) save_as_ppm(file_name string) {
 	}
 	f_out.close()
 
-	free(buf)
+	unsafe {
+		free(buf)
+	}
 	bmp.buf = tmp_buf
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/x/ttf/render_sokol_cpu.v b/vlib/x/ttf/render_sokol_cpu.v
index 321385c42d..79c1b976b5 100644
--- a/vlib/x/ttf/render_sokol_cpu.v
+++ b/vlib/x/ttf/render_sokol_cpu.v
@@ -53,10 +53,10 @@ pub fn (mut tf_skl TTF_render_Sokol) create_text(in_txt string, in_font_size f32
 	// RAM buffer
 	if sz > tf_skl.bmp.buf_size {
 		if sz > 0 {
-			free(tf_skl.bmp.buf)
+			unsafe {free(tf_skl.bmp.buf)}
 		}
 		dprintln('create_text Alloc: $sz bytes')
-		tf_skl.bmp.buf = malloc(sz)
+		tf_skl.bmp.buf = unsafe {malloc(sz)}
 		tf_skl.bmp.buf_size = sz
 	}
 
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@ pub fn (mut tf_skl TTF_render_Sokol) create_text_block(in_txt string, in_w int,
 	// RAM buffer
 	if sz > tf_skl.bmp.buf_size {
 		if sz > 0 {
-			free(tf_skl.bmp.buf)
+			unsafe {free(tf_skl.bmp.buf)}
 		}
 		dprintln('Alloc: $sz bytes')
-		tf_skl.bmp.buf = malloc(sz)
+		tf_skl.bmp.buf = unsafe {malloc(sz)}
 		tf_skl.bmp.buf_size = sz
 	}
 
diff --git a/vlib/x/websocket/handshake.v b/vlib/x/websocket/handshake.v
index f351ab17a5..e285124cd4 100644
--- a/vlib/x/websocket/handshake.v
+++ b/vlib/x/websocket/handshake.v
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ fn (mut ws Client) handshake() ? {
 	sb.write('\r\nSec-WebSocket-Version: 13\r\n\r\n')
 	handshake := sb.str()
 	defer {
-		handshake.free()
+		unsafe { handshake.free() }
 	}
 	handshake_bytes := handshake.bytes()
 	ws.debug_log('sending handshake: $handshake')
diff --git a/vlib/x/websocket/websocket_client.v b/vlib/x/websocket/websocket_client.v
index 07f6a4bc57..b19f987212 100644
--- a/vlib/x/websocket/websocket_client.v
+++ b/vlib/x/websocket/websocket_client.v
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ pub fn (mut ws Client) connect() ? {
 pub fn (mut ws Client) listen() ? {
 	mut log := 'Starting client listener, server($ws.is_server)...'
 	ws.logger.info(log)
-	log.free()
+	unsafe { log.free() }
 	defer {
 		ws.logger.info('Quit client listener, server($ws.is_server)...')
 		if ws.state == .open {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ pub fn (mut ws Client) listen() ? {
 			.text_frame {
 				log = 'read: text'
 				ws.debug_log(log)
-				log.free()
+				unsafe { log.free() }
 				ws.send_message_event(msg)
 				unsafe { msg.free() }
 			}
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ pub fn (mut ws Client) listen() ? {
 			.close {
 				log = 'read: close'
 				ws.debug_log(log)
-				log.free()
+				unsafe { log.free() }
 				defer {
 					ws.manage_clean_close()
 				}