How to stay safe at home...

As a rule do not allow any stranger to enter the house, especially if you are alone. Keep the door locked from inside and look at the person outside through a window or a peephole in the door. Securing a door with an iron grill ensures safety as the door could then be opened safely with the grill in tact.

One should ensure that no vessel is left unattended on the gas stove for long. Turn off the regulator when you go out of town for a few days. The connecting rubber tube from the cylinder to the stove should be checked regularly and replaced, if need be, to avoid gas leakage.

The kitchen should have adequate ventilation, preferably with an exhaust fan, to avoid any lingering gas or fumes while cooking. There are modern chimneys over the cooking stove, which work efficiently to keep the kitchen free of fumes. Always use the cutting board while cutting vegetables or fruits.

A refrigerator is a necessity but care has to be taken to keep it clean and see that stale stuff is disposed of. Good earthing saves lives. One has to ensure that this has been done properly to avoid electric shocks. All domestic appliances should be BIS certified brands.

This will ensure safety and energy saving. The house should have a proper overload device that trips when the electrical load is exceeded. Faulty wiring, plugs, sockets and switches should be replaced to prevent shocks and fire breakout. Too many outlets should not be taken out of a socket.

There is danger lurking in kitchen, toilet and bathroom. It is necessary to prevent water leaks and to keep the floor dry as far as possible by paying attention to slope and proper drainage These should have skid-free flooring tiles with strong railings on the walls for support.

Fancy tiles are fine as long as they ensure safety. An exhaust fan is desirable to remove unpleasant smell. Any stain or spilt food on the floor should be cleaned up immediately to prevent someone from slipping. Broken glass should be handled with care. Awareness about safety should be inculcated in the family from a young age.