Insurance Journal (4th Quarter 2017)

Health Corner
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appropriate keys. Ensure that the
doors and windows open easily.
Decide on a safe assembly point
outside the home where everyone
can meet following an evacuation.
Make sure that the whole family is
aware of how to escape and where
to meet after evacuation.
Walk through the escape routes
with family members so that
everyone knows what to do.
Practice these escape routes on a
regular basis especially after
making changes in your home.
Wear scarfs during one practice, to
s i m u l a t e d a r k a n d s m o k y
conditions, but be careful with
young children and the elderly.
Installing Smoke Alarms:
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Buy a battery-operated smoke
alarms and take care to choose a
reliable brand.
Ÿ Attach alarms securely to the
ceiling at least 30 cm away from
any wall or light fixture.
Ÿ If your home is on one level, put a
smoke alarm in the hall; if it has
more than one story; install one at
the bottom of the stairs and
another on each landing.
Ÿ Check once a month by pressing
the test button.
Ÿ Vacuum the inside of each
regularly to keep the sensor
chamber free of dust.
How to Make Your Kitchen Safe:
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If you have a water heater in the
kitchen, make sure that the flue is
kept clear. If you use gas, install a
carbon monoxide alarm in the
kitchen, as close to the water
heater as possible.
Ÿ Unplug or switch off electrical
appliances at the wall when they
are not being used. Electric kettle,
toaster, microwave oven and
b l e n d e r a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y
hazardous.
Ÿ Use a ladder to reach high shelves
instead of standing on a stool,
which could tip over.
Ÿ N e v e r l e a v e a d e e p f r y e r
unattended on the stove.
Ÿ Ensure that work surfaces and
sinks are well lit, so you can work
safely.
Ÿ If you have young children, install
security locks on cabinets and
drawers that contain hazardous
liquids or objects.
Ÿ Store matches, sharp items and
household chemicals well out of
the reach of children.
Ÿ Try to keep young children out of
the kitchen when you are cooking.
Ÿ Turn pan handles toward the wall
so that children cannot grab them
or accidentally knock them.
Ÿ Install guard rails around the stove
to keep children away.
Ÿ Warn children that stove-tops
especially electric burners, which
may show no signs of being hot
can burn even when the power is
off.
Ÿ Store sharp knives well out of the
reach of children, ideally in a
wooden knife block.
How to Make Your Living Room
Safe:
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Avoid running electric wires
across the floor because these
could be tripped on.
Never run wires under a carpet
where people walk, the carpet may
expose bare wires.
Check all electrical wiring
regularly because worn insulation
can cause fires.
Don't overload electric sockets
with multi-point adaptors. Use an
extension cable with four or six
socket outlets instead.
If you have an open fire, make sure
that you use a fire-guard,
especially when children are
Insurance Journal October, November, December 2017
32
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