Your home, although your sanctuary, due to its many mechanical components, can pose some dangers to you and your family. You should be aware of potential safety hazards at home and take steps to prevent injury.

Next to indoor plumbing, electricity is the single greatest comfort feature in a home. It provides light, dries hair, cooks food, washes and dries clothing, runs televisions and radios and even powers the computer on which this column is written. It also is one of the leading causes of accidents in the home. The most common are electrical shock and electrical fires.

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent shock. The most obvious is often the most overlooked. Never work on the electrical system with the power on. Most residential electrical systems have a central power distribution center called a sub-panel, breaker box or fuse box. In some homes this is located at the main electrical service or service disconnect. Flipping a breaker or removing a fuse will cut power to a given circuit, making it safe to work on. After turning the power off, you should always use an approved electrical tester to verify that it, in fact, is off.

Frayed electrical cords, flickering lights and frequently tripped breakers or burned fuses are signs of a problem that can lead to disaster. Damaged or worn cords for lamps, small appliances and other electrical devices should be replaced. The appliance should be taken out of service until the repair is made.

Flickering lights can be caused by several things. Most common are loose electrical connections, a short in the system or an overloaded electrical circuit. In all cases, the condition should be checked by a qualified electrician. A majority of house fires result from one of these conditions.

Gas appliances can present two safety hazards fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. The former generally occurs when the appliance is operating and left unattended, as with a pot on the stove. A gas appliance should be used only when in peak operating condition. Gas burners should be clean and in proper adjustment to produce the most efficient and safest combustion. Poor combustion and exhaust sometimes allows carbon monoxide to enter the home. Exposure to carbon monoxide can result in flu-like symptoms, and even can be fatal.

Periodic maintenance by a qualified heating or plumbing professional or the local utility company will ensure that all gas appliances are operating safely and at maximum efficiency. Also, a carbon monoxide detector should be installed at each level of the home, including the basement.

Another significant source of carbon monoxide poisoning is a wood burning stove or fireplace. A properly ventilated stove or fireplace is not only safer, it will burn hotter providing a more efficient source of heat. The flue or chimney should be periodically checked and cleaned by a qualified chimney sweep. A crack in the flue or a buildup of creosote can result in a chimney fire that can level a house in minutes. A spark arrestor placed atop the chimney will prevent flying embers from igniting the roof. Also, a fire guard at the hearth will prevent sparks and embers from igniting flooring or furniture near the fireplace or wood stove.

The kitchen is at the top of the list of safety hazards. Small children should have limited access to the kitchen and should be present only in the company of an adult. Installing child-proof locks on doors and drawers will prevent access to knives and other sharp utensils, hazardous chemicals and cleaning products. A removable safety gate placed in a door opening is a means of limiting access to most areas in the home. Aside from the kitchen, safety gates might well be used in a hallway where a wall or floor furnace exists, a bathroom, where a child could drown in a toilet and at the top or bottom of a staircase to prevent a nasty fall.

Knives are especially dangerous and should be stored on a rack high on a wall, well out of the reach of little ones. Similarly, cleaning products, hazardous chemicals and bottles and cans should be kept on an upper shelf. When cooking, place pots and pans on the stove top with handles turned inward. This could save a curious child from injury.

It's also wise to have a family emergency plan. This can include everything from the location of the first aid kit and fire extinguisher to an escape plan in the event of a fire. Planning can be the difference between life and death.