Electric geysers deliver reliable hot water through India’s harsh winters, but they carry serious risks when basic protocols slip. Faulty habits like leaving units running while opening taps or neglecting ventilation have led to preventable deaths from electrocution, scalding–and toxic fumes. Forensic research underscores that switching off the geyser before any tap turns on prevents current from traveling through water pipes—a simple rule saving countless lives.Professionals in electrical safety and medicine stress proactive maintenance over reactive fixes. Sediment buildup, power surges-and bacterial growth turn conveniences into hazards, with studies showing high fatality rates in bathroom incidents. Looking at the recent tragedies in the news, one Haryana Police constable Amit Yadav, on his social media account, has also shared how dangerous geysers can be if not used properly and urged people to treat them with the same caution they would give any high-risk electrical appliance. He advises three simple but critical safety steps:
- Always turn off the geyser before using the shower or tap
- Every 15 to 20 days, use a tester to check for current leakage or earthing problems in water taps and the geyser body
- Avoid using the setup if any tingling or shock is felt until it is checked by a qualified electrician. This kind of practical, field-based guidance reinforces
What forensic and safety data already show about electrocution risks in bathrooms.
Consider the case from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on December 14, 2025. Fifteen-year-old Garima Rani entered her small bathroom for a morning shower. A gas geyser, running in a completely sealed room, leaked carbon monoxide that built up silently. Discovered unconscious around 10:30 AM, she could not be revived despite neighbors forcing the door—doctors confirmed asphyxiation due to absent ventilation.Days later, on December 21 in Pilibhit, UP, a husband and wife lay dead in their rented home’s locked bathroom. Overnight geyser operation in poor airflow allowed fumes to accumulate fatally. Police investigations pointed to classic negligence-with postmortems aligning to similar patterns seen nationwide.These align with broader data-Parvathy R and colleagues’ 2025 autopsy review at Goa Medical College examined 37 electrocution deaths from 2021-2023, revealing 86% occurred in bathrooms, mostly from live electrical contact in wet environments. Such cases repeat seasonally without intervention.
Essential mistakes to avoid for safety
Foremost, always power down the geyser at the mains switch before opening taps. Flowing water conducts electricity from live elements through pipes and fixtures, delivering lethal shocks. Behera et al.’s 2021 Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine study dissected six immersion rod fatalities—all women at home—where low-voltage current (as low as 220V) caused ventricular fibrillation via wet skin pathways.
Avoid bathing with the unit energized
Surges common in Indian grids amplify risks mid-shower; industry standards from Voltas and Aulten mandate isolation. Thermostats must stay at 40-50°C—higher settings risk scalds, as evidenced by Chuang et al.’s 2003 Burns journal analysis of 66 pediatric cases from overheated electric heaters exceeding 60°C.
Annual professional servicing is non-negotiable
Certified technicians inspect heating elements for corrosion, safety valves for pressure release, and earthing for grounding faults.
Reject immersion rods outright
Direct submersion invites instant electrocution. Opt for BIS-marked storage geysers (IS 2082:2020 compliant) with thermal cutouts, dry-heating prevention-and IP25-rated enclosures against splashes. Supervise children and elders rigorously-maintain dry floors with anti-slip mats, and store flammables away from units.These protocols, drawn from forensic patterns like Behera’s and clinical data like Chuang’s, transform geysers from liabilities to assets. Implement them rigorously: switch off first, service without fail, ventilate relentlessly. Professional diligence ensures warmth without peril, protecting families this winter and beyond.
