Things to keep in mind during a traffic stop

• Ensure that you are being pulled over by the competent authority. Traffic police must be in their uniform with name and buckle number clearly visible.
• Wearing of helmets is compulsory. Persons fined for not wearing a helmet will be issued a challan that is valid until midnight.
• Male traffic police must be accompanied by female traffic police to conduct vehicle searches on female drivers.
• Chennai Traffic Police has adopted a cashless system for spot fines. Payments for violations must not be made in cash during traffic stops. Challan must be issued for all spot fines.
• Fines over Rs 100 can be levied only by traffic police of the rank of sub-inspector or above.
• Drivers' licenses may be seized for a broad range of offences such as smoking while driving, using the phone, drunken driving, and not stopping at a red light. A valid receipt must be issued by the police before seizing the license.
• Traffic police may detain your vehicle if found to be driving or riding without a valid license, permit, or registration. The detained vehicle will be handed over to the police officer in charge of the nearest police station and will be kept under safe custody until a release order is issued.
• Offenders detained by the traffic police must be taken directly to the police station and produced before the magistrate within 24 hours of detention.

Credits: Aruna Natarajan, Citizen Matters

• Pulled up by traffic police? Know your responsibilities and rights! chennai.citizenmatters.in

The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional resources that women may use to seek support and help in times of need

• Nakshatra is a non-profit organisation that works in areas of sexual violence and trafficking. The organisation provides legal, medical and counselling assistance | 9003058479 / 7845629339
• AWARE works on areas of gender-based violence through sensitisation and provides help for women affected by violence | 8122241688
• PCVC works to create a “support network for women and queer individuals facing domestic and interpersonal violence”. The organisation provides both emergency and rehabilitation. Crisis intervention help offered includes dealing with the police, creating an exit plan from abusive relationships and households, as well as medical and legal help and counselling | 044-43111143

Credits: Bhavani Prabhakar, Citizen Matters

What to do in Case of LPG Leakage

• Do not panic
• Open all doors & windows for ventilation. LPG is heavier than air and hence it tends to settle down. Opening doors must be the first step.
• Put off all flames, lamps, incense sticks etc.
• Put the safety cap back on the cylinder.
• Close regulator and burner knobs.
• Do not operate any electrical switches, appliance or equipment in the kitchen.
• Isolate the electrical supply from the outside source.
• Call your LPG dealer for emergency assistance and then 1906
• Try to isolate the cylinder to an open space and cover it with wet cloth.
• Call the fire brigade and police if required.

How to avail human milk bank services

• In Chennai, you can visit any of the above human milk banks, with a letter from an authorised doctor about the mother’s inability to produce the milk. All these facilities supply milk for free.
• Mothers who encounter issues with breastfeeding can visit any of the government maternity hospitals.
• The mother should sign a consent form at the hospital, indicating willingness to opt for donor’s milk.
• The amount of milk given to an infant depends on availability of the milk. In the city’s government hospitals, priority is given to the infants who are born in the hospital itself.
• The sterilised and stored milk is given in a steel container to the mother.

Credits: Laasya Shekhar, Citizen Matters

What to do in Case of Snake Bite
Things to keep in mind after snake bite

• Do not panic.
• If the bite is on the foot, do not walk or run. You must basically keep the injured part of the body immobile.
• It is important to note that one must not meddle with the wound, but immediately go to nearby hospital facilities.
• Most importantly, do not tie a tourniquet over the wound,” added the doctor.
• Tamil Nadu Government is providing anti-venom to all primary, secondary and tertiary care government institutions.“It is therefore important to rush to a hospital – and not a quack.
• At hospitals equipped to deal with snake bite cases, doctors would first do a neurological assessment and would then start administering the anti-venom.