It's already rainy season, and I remember a few years ago that even though it is raining hard where heaven is pouring its guts out, there are still some instances that accidents happened. Yes, a fire accident does happen and somehow left several families homeless. Some people would say that it is better to be rob than be in a fire accident. Well, it is actually true.

Some would say that it's because of faulty wiring, and others would blame some kids playing with fire. It can also because of scented candles left behind near the curtains. Yes, these are possible things that can be the cause of the fire, but sometimes it is just because of those simple drippings that led to some open wiring in the ceiling, where the electrical system is, that would spark and then boom, it already started the fire.

So, what can you at least do to make sure that you won't catch any fire at your house? Well, I can share a few personal tips that you can do to check your home at least safe from a fire accident. In other words, a precaution.

1. Always check your ceiling from any drippings. Sometimes it is unnoticeable, but once you saw any stain or changes of color on your ceiling that's a sign already that your roof has leaks.
2. Always remove dry leaves on your roof. It often causes rusting or corrosion that eventually will lead to leaks.
3. Always seek help from your friendly electricians to check on the wiring of your house. It's better to ask for professional help when it comes to electrical wiring.
4. When you have wire extension cords, always check for any openings to avoid electrocution and of fire.
5. Always put plugs and cable away from the little kids. Sometimes they would get curious about these things that can lead to accidents.

These are just personal tips that I think would help. But there are companies where you can place your entire home insured. So even when that incident happens, you'll know that you still have something to look forward to. Even though you wouldn't be able to save the memories created, at least you'll be having new ones because your property is insured.

There are plenty of companies that offer a fire insurance policy for your house, but there are also plenty of bogus companies laying down the same terms. Sometimes, instead of spending less, you end up having more expenses because of unnecessary equipment.

Before jumping to signing papers for your insurance always check and ask around if the companies offering you the terms are legit fire insurance companies in the Philippines. It's not bad to do your investigation since it is for your own good and your family's protection. You don't want to end up with some bogus companies. You can ask your close friends or relatives if they have some to recommend that provides the terms that you're looking for an insurance company. I'm sure they will not give you the name of a firm they haven't tried or tested by their friends.

The changes in the last few months made our lives different. Our daily routines have been affected by this pandemic and it is the result of our weeks in quarantine. In spite of this, there are some who have found ways to sustain and even improve their lifestyles from home. I believe being at home made television an essential tool for us.

You, too, can continue making the most out of your life, while still taking measures to remain healthy and virus-free. Finding the right #TvSENSEtials from a trusted global brand like Hisense is a great place to start. The Hisense A6505 ULED TV, which comes in 55” or 65” sizes, has all the features and functions that a Filipino home might need.

Here’s how you can live your best life at home with the help of the latest Hisense #TvSENSEtials.

1. Keep yourself informed on what’s going on around the world. For reliable news and information, a TV is your best bet. This is extremely important, especially now that announcements and updates on the ongoing health crisis continue to pour in.

2. Give yourself a break with your favorite programs, concerts and sporting events. Through the Hisense Vidaa U Operating System, you can access your favorite streaming apps such as YouTube and Netflix, to relax and unwind any time of the day. This benefits your mental health and wellbeing, too.

3. Learn something, whether it’s a new language, skill or hobby. With the present thrust towards distance learning, younger family members can also use a smart TV for online classes and other educational content.

4. Stay fit and healthy without leaving the house. There are many different home exercise videos available online. Whether you’re into yoga, cross fit or dance, you’re sure to find a fitness class to follow on your TV.

5. Inspire creativity while you watch. The Hisense A6505 ULED TV features Ultra HD resolution and 2160 lines of pixels that refresh simultaneously, displaying each scene, strike and show in beautiful clarity. This way, you can fully appreciate every detail you see onscreen.

6. Stay connected with family and friends through social media and video calling. You can screen cast your mobile phone into your TV with the Anyview Cast feature to make it bigger.

7. Bond with the people at home as you enjoy sitting in front of the TV together. The Hisense A6505 ULED TV delivers superior video quality with rich and deep audio that makes perfect movie bonding moments for the family!

Ready for an upgrade? Watch out for the latest #Hisense #TvSENSEtials. Check out other Hisense products available at leading appliance stores nationwide, and online via LazMall (https://bit.ly/HisenseLaz) and Shopee Mall (https://bit.ly/HisenseSho).

Experiencing more hours at home made most of us explore the enriching ways of cooking and experimenting with recipes. Whether one is a newbie cook or a long-time home chef, here are tips one can follow to help ensure food safety while making new dishes.

Wash hands before preparing food
Aside from carefully washing any fresh produce or meat product bought from the market, another way to ensure food safety is to practice proper handwashing before preparing ingredients for cooking. Make sure to thoroughly wash hands for more than 20 seconds using soap and clean water.

Disinfect cooking surfaces and utensils
Keeping kitchen surfaces clean can also help prevent food from being contaminated. It is best to use a disinfectant that is ideal for the kitchen.

Check the quality of ingredients
Those who tend to stock up on produce and meat products to lessen trips to the market should be careful to check the expiry date and quality of the perishable items they are buying to avoid using stale ingredients. To be sure, one can buy these products from trusted brands in groceries and meat shops.

Separate fresh produce from raw meat
Make sure that fresh produce doesn’t mix with raw meat during preparation to avoid cross contamination, which happens when food is mishandled, allowing bacteria to transfer from one source to another.

Avoid double-dipping
Double-dipping can include dipping utensils or chips into a bowl of sauce or food after having put it in your mouth. This can pose some problems when it spreads the bacteria from your mouth into the food - especially when you’re sharing it with other people.

Thoroughly cook ingredients
Cooking food thoroughly and properly may kill most of the bacteria that may still be present in the ingredients.

Don’t add raw ingredients when heating food
While it might be tempting, it would be best to avoid adding uncooked meat to already-cooked meals or sauces as it can lead to cross-contamination and food poisoning.

Make preparing meals for the family even more worthwhile by ensuring they eat only the safest dishes. Follow these food safety tips and get quality meat products from trusted brands such as Robina Farms. Their quality meat and egg products are available at leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide.

It's indeed that today's health crisis has changed our daily routines at home and at work. But one thing is certain – a changed lifestyle. Now that our communities are slowly re-opening and businesses are resuming, we move forward with “the new normal.” This could mean strict implementation of social distancing in public places and for some people – a longer “work-from-home” period.

In the span of few months while adapting into the community quarantine, we have altered our ways of living and homes have become a multi-functional space for personal, family and work responsibilities. And it goes without saying that in the face of unprecedented times, we must take extra preventive measures to help keep our families safe and healthy at home.

Now, as we embrace the new normal, what does this mean for your family at home? Here are some ways to maintain a healthy and safe environment for your loved ones:

Boost your immune system.

The immune system is our body’s first line of defense against disease-causing microorganisms. It’s inevitable especially for parents nowadays to juggle more functions simultaneously at home. Thus, the body’s immunity needs to take up a notch by maintaining a healthy balance of good nutrition and lifestyle. According to Pediatrician Dra. Gelline Suderio, “The body cannot naturally produce all the necessary vitamins and minerals. It’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to boost the immune system.”

Dra. Suderio gives the following healthy-living strategies to boost the immune system especially for families with children at home: “Remember the go, grow, and glow concept. It’s important to keep a balanced diet and avoid foods rich in preservatives, additives and sugar. Always keep yourself hydrated. And most importantly, get enough rest time and sleep at night.”

Take vitamins and supplements wisely.

According to Pediatrician Dra. Andrea Carag, “Think of your vitamin and minerals like the active ingredients in a recipe. Without these micronutrients, the immune system simply does not function properly.”

Choosing the right vitamins and supplements are important to help the body strengthen its general immune system. Dra. Suderio recommends consulting a doctor or healthcare practitioner before taking any multivitamins or food supplements. She says, “Your best source of vitamins is the food you eat, so get as many nutrients as you can from fresh and whole foods. Multivitamins will complement your diet and lifestyle.” For parents with young children at home, she says, “Nutrients that help build bones and promote brain development are especially significant in childhood.”

Keep a clean environment and maintain proper hygiene.

With the rainy season comes a lot of illnesses such as dengue, amebiasis, and respiratory diseases. Dra. Carag reminds us that to prevent these illnesses from penetrating the home, it’s important to keep our environment clean. She shares, “The rainy season is known to bring in a variety of infections because the cooler and denser air helps pathogens linger around longer. Make sure that the drinking water is clean through filtration and/or boiling and maintain a clean environment especially for children with play area at home. If children play on the floor, make sure to disinfect and their area is not stepped on by outside shoes. Have your kids avoid others who are sick and teach them proper hygiene such as washing of hands with clean soap and water.”

Dra. Suderio adds for parents with toddlers at home, “Keep the baby’s things and surroundings clean. Minimize their exposure to potential risks. Some tips may include keeping household cleaning materials out of their reach, hide small pieces of objects that they may accidentally ingest, keep sockets covered, and baby gates closed. Always keep an eye on the child if possible and be in touch with your doctor if the medical need arises.”

Be active and exercise regularly.

A single session or 30 minutes per day of moderate exercise such as yoga, brisk walking or steady cycling can give the immune system a boost. For parents with school-age children at home, Dra. Carag recommends, “Give kids a role to play in the household. For older children and teenagers, give them responsibilities that make the household safer, like disinfecting groceries, keeping stock of face masks and soap. Have teenagers look after the younger ones by participating in their hand hygiene.”

Maintain a positive mindset.

Dra. Suderio stresses the importance of making the children feel safe at home, managing their behavior by teaching them resilience, and keeping healthy routines in check. These behaviors are handy not just now but even after the quarantine. She says, “Maximize your time with them by doing interactive and fun activities where they can learn. Do fitness activities in the morning, baking in the afternoon, cooking healthy meals for dinner. Let the kids be involved and make every moment spent with them a learning experience.”

Dra. Carag advises keeping a stress-free environment at home despite the uncertainties of the times. She shares, “Make sure that kids are not exposed to stressors. This can mean emotional stressors like anxiety or fear. Making sure that you and your children have proper emotional and mental state is helpful in boosting the body’s immunity.”

Get more tips from Dra. Carag and Dra. Suderio as they share more insights in keeping a healthy and safe home post-quarantine at PLDT Home and MommyMundo’s Facebook Live #StayHomeSeries. Tune in every 11AM on May 26 and 29 at MommyMundo’s Facebook page as Dra. Carag, Dra. Suderio, and guest moms Mikaela Lagdameo and Riki Flo discuss the pressing topics on parenting and family health concerns.

Visit PLDT Home’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to know more.