The home is a place
where we spend a large part of our lives. We eat, sleep, play and do many other
activities here. We are familiar with every chair, table, bed and every little
ornament that gives us much pleasure and comfort. A well-maintained home is one
where we can go to after a hard day's work and when we need a place to relax
and rejuvenate our spirits.
Yet a comfortable and
familiar home is not without danger. In fact, a home can be a very dangerous
place indeed. Consider first the electrical supply to our homes. There are instances
of people connecting too many electrical appliances to a single socket, for
example connecting the refrigerator, washing machine, iron, and the kettle into
one solitary socket using extension plugs. Such flagrant disregard
for safety only means one thing -- the fuse will keep on blowing. The same
situation may be even more dangerous in old houses with worn-out wiring which
could easily result in a fire.
Besides this
overloading of electrical sockets, other dangers are also present. Touching an
electrical switch with a wet hand is an invitation to an electrical shock. It
is a simple matter of drying the hand, yet in one's haste after using the
bathroom, the hand is often quicker than the brain. This habit must be changed.
Wiring contractors tend to locate electrical sockets near the floor where a
two-year-old can get at it easily. It is advisable to cover these sockets so
that. inquisitive hands do not get at them.
Most modern houses now
have concealed wiring in the walls. A careless do-it-yourself handyman can
easily give himself a nasty shock by driving an iron nail into one of the
hidden wires.
Many electrical
appliances such as electric kettles, electric irons and cookers are all
potentially dangerous if used carelessly. It is up to the user to recognize the
dangers so that he can safeguard himself.
Another possible source
of danger comes from the cylinder of cooking gas that is present in almost all
kitchens. The cylinder is made of sturdy metal and can withstand a lot of
abuse. Nevertheless there is a limit to the abuse it can take. Users who
connect sub-standard cylinder-heads to the cylinder and users who bump the
cylinders around are all asking for trouble. There are cases of gas cylinders
exploding resulting in death and serious injury. A little care on the part of
the user can prevent dangerous accidents from occurring.
Knives, scissors,
can-openers and other sharp instruments are also sources of danger. In any
hospital one can see a lot patients seeking treatment for cuts and bruises
caused by these instruments. Though great care may be taken while using these
sharp instruments, accidents still may happen. One cannot guarantee that a
knife will not slip while cutting vegetables or that a plate will not break
while it is being washed. Other dangers include slippery floors, protrudingnails
on walls, non-drinkable liquids in unlabelled bottles, broken furniture,
uncovered food, unboiled water and many other things. These items may not be
dangerous until accidents happen. There is danger everywhere. We can only
recognize potential dangers and take the necessary precautions to prevent
accidents from occurring in the home.
Summary: There are many dangers
present in a home. Connecting many electrical appliances to a single socket is
very dangerous as it may lead to a fire especially in old houses with worn-out
wiring. Touching an electrical switch with a wet hand can cause an electrical
shock. Concealed wiring in the walls of modern houses and uncovered electrical
sockets near the floor are also hazardous. Many electrical appliances are
potentially dangerous if used carelessly. Even the cylinder of cooking gas can
explode, resulting in death and serious injury. Sharp instruments lying around
the house are also sources of danger.
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