Are you sure that you, your family and your belongings are safe within the four walls of your house? Because home safety is not about just fixing locks and grilles or electronic security gadgets.

The issue should be addressed right from the time you begin shopping for a new apartment. The next step is ensuring security once you have moved in, not to forget aspects to consider when you go on vacation.

The building itself

Get to know both your neighbours and the neighbourhood.

Make sure there is adequate lighting in exterior and common areas of the complex. If you think there is an area that needs more light or if you notice burnt-out bulbs, inform the landlord or the building association.

Ask for fire extinguishers in common areas. Their tags must be checked regularly to ensure they are up to date.

Discuss with your neighbours and install an intercom system between the apartments, building gate/s and the caretaker’s office.

Doors & windows

Make sure your door has a deadbolt lock and a double-throw night latch, in addition to the safety chain and tower bolt.

Peephole(s) can help you see who’s knocking before you open the door. Think about installing a peephole at kid-height, too, if you have children in the house.

If you have a sliding glass door, use a stopper to prevent the door from opening more than a few inches. A steel or wooden dowel is inexpensive and effective.

Many hardware stores sell special safety locks. You should also install screws in the frame to prevent the entire door from being removed.

Make sure any window accessible from the ground, balconies or vent shafts have stoppers to prevent them from opening enough to let a person through.

But take care not to do anything that prevents escape in case of fire.

Inside the house

Avoid rug mishaps: Slipping can be deadly. So you should skid-proof your rugs and carpets.

Make sure your rugs are made of flame resistant material or treat them with such chemicals.

Never put electrical cords under rugs as the wear of constantly being underfoot could spark a fire.

Broken glass: As broken glass is dangerous, you should consider having safety glass, which has a layer of plastic between two sheets of glass.

Although a bit expensive, safety glass is well worth its price.

Ladder safety: Each ladder is designed for a specific use, defined by the manufacturer. Using a ladder in any other way than for what it was designed can be dangerous.

All ladders should be used on level surfaces. Don’t lean or reach for anything while on a ladder. Move it to where you need to reach.

Don’t use deformed ladders or those with sagging stairs.

Stairway safety: Even though stairways are generally safe, it’s easy to slip and fall if you aren’t careful.

Install a sturdy handrail for any stairway with four or more steps. The size of the steps should be consistent in both height and width from step to step.

Make sure the steps are well lit and that doors at the top of the stairs open away from the stairwell.

Room specifics

Kitchen: Never position the kitchen burner/range near a window, where the breeze might blow off the flame while the gas continues to leak.

Leave enough landing space on either side of the burner/range to provide holding area for hot vessels. Clutter in such places could spill hot food on the cook.

Electrical appliances must be at a reasonable distance from the sink.

The floor wash area must be sealed off from the rest of the kitchen by a raised threshold and have a suitable slope towards the drain head. Or else, the entire kitchen can get wet and dangerously slippery.

The fire extinguisher should be easily accessible.

Bathroom: The wash basin and water closet should be firmly fixed on to the wall/floor. Loose brackets are not easily identified.

Bathtubs and shower areas/chambers should have grip handles at their entrance. They make it safer to enter and leave the wet bath/shower. Also, keep an anti-slip bath mat at the entrance.

No electrical socket should ever be located within three feet of the bath area.

Kid’s room: Balconies are a strict no-no in these rooms.

Protective grilles must be provided on all windows in children’s rooms.

All furniture must be steady, and with rounded rather than sharp corners.

Avoid glass-topped furniture pieces and knobs. Go for easy-to-grip handles.

Use only shuttered electrical sockets. Provide soft nightlights for a safe night walk to the bathroom.

(The author is an interior design consultant, specialising in the design of corporate and residential interiors. As a senior faculty member at a Calcutta institute, she has delivered lectures, guided research and conducted projects in the field of ‘Housing & Interior Design’ for over two decades. She can be contacted at kusumsmail@yahoo.com )