Safety check must before altering flat, buildings

Representative Image

In an absolute nightmare for a mother and her five-year-old daughter, the floor of their fifth-floor home in a building in the suburbs gave way as they slept. Both landed on the fourth floor along with the bed they were sleeping on.

The fourth-floor flat was locked, but some work was going on inside. Though the fourth-floor home owner and contractor have been arrested, it has been a very narrow escape for the mother-daughter duo. It must be deeply traumatic too, especially for the little girl. The mother sustained some injuries. The housing society said they were unaware of what work was going on.

Building flat owners have to know exactly what is going on in their flats while they undergo repairs, renovations or simply face lifts. Too often, home owners are away, with contractors in charge of the flat. While they may not stay there as work is on, periodic checks are a must.

As owners may not be experts, they may be unable to gauge if there are no obvious giveaways that safety has been compromised. This responsibility then lies solely with the contractor and his team who naturally has to place safety as priority when undertaking work. If there is any doubt that work will compromise the stability of the structure or safety, it must not be undertaken at all.

The society committee, though not at fault, must insist on the owner divulging what exact work is going on inside the home.

In the end though, this is a wake-up call for all those who undertake alterations and some potentially dangerous work in buildings. Check efficacy and safety guidelines and put yourself in others' shoes first, would you like if your life is endangered in any way? Life and limbs are always first.