~~~~Established 1977~~~~
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BASIC HOME SAFETY
* GENERAL HOME SAFETY * • Stairways should have safe and sturdy railings or banisters.• Keep stairways, halls and exits free of clutter, such as shoes, tools, toys, etc… • Stair surfaces should be non-slip. • Throw rugs should have non-slip backing and avoided in traffic areas. • Stairways and halls should be well lit. • Waxed and highly polished floors can be a trip hazard. • Use night-lights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways. • Do not block doorways with furniture. • Storage places for often-used items should be kept in easy reach. • Emergency phone numbers should be placed by the telephone. Wipe up spilled liquids, grease, or dropped food particles right away. • Store all poison and dangerous chemicals, such as cleaning agents, separate from food items and out of reach of children. • All chemicals should be clearly labeled. • Wear shoes or slippers when up and about, rather than going barefoot. • If shoes have laces, they should be well tied to prevent tripping. • Be alert to unsafe conditions. Avoid hurrying. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * BATHROOM SAFETY * • Do not use electrical appliances in the bathtub or shower.• Use rubber mats or non-slip strips on the floor of the bathtub or shower. • Do not use soap-holder handles or towel racks as a grab bar for support when getting in or out of the tub. • Avoid use of oil in the bath – this can make the tub slippery. • Make sure feet are dry before stepping onto tile-type floors. • Medicines should be clearly labeled. Throw away prescription medications when the illness is over or if the date on the container is expired. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * PATIENT CARE SAFETY * • Bedrails should be raised and securely fastened when the patient is in bed.• Ensure that the patient is safely positioned while seated in a chair. Use a safety belt if necessary. • If restraints are used, make sure that they are checked frequently to ensure that : (1) they do not interfere with circulation, (2) are properly applied, (3) do not cause irritation to the skin, and (4) are comfortable. • Make sure wheelchair brakes are locked before getting in or out of the wheelchair. Move footrests out of the way before trying to stand. *Do not stand on footrests. Place feet firmly on the floor before attempting to stand. • Clear the room of extra equipment that might block the pathway, especially at night. • Keep electric heating pads at low-medium heat. Place the pad on or over the patient, rather than placing the patient on the pad. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ELECTRICAL SAFETY * • Plugs and sockets should fit firmly and require some force to insert and remove.• If children are present in the home, all unused outlets should have childproof caps inserted. • Unplug any plugs or outlets that form a connection that is warm to the touch. Do not use them until they have been repaired or replaced. • Always grasp the plug to remove it from the outlet. NEVER pull on the cord. • All electrical devices should be properly grounded unless they are “double insulated”. • “Cheaters”, which convert three-prong plugs into two-prong plugs, should not be used. • Avoid using extension cords and never overload them. • Check cords for fraying, bare wires, or other defects, especially at the point where the cord attaches to the equipment. • Keep cords away from oil, grease, or any material that causes deterioration. • Keep cords out of the way of traffic to prevent a trip hazard. • Oxygen increases the flammability of other materials. Take precaution to prevent sparks in oxygen therapy areas. • Never touch an electrical appliance and plumbing at the same time. • Never run a cord across the sink or across a wet floor. • Make sure circuits are not overloaded. • Disconnect equipment that sparks, stalls, blows a fuse or gives the slightest shock. • Report equipment malfunctions to this company. • Repairs to wiring and circuits should only be done by a qualified electrician. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * FIRE SAFETY * • Never cover a bright light with material to try to dim the light.• Lighted matches and cigarettes should be put out completely before throwing them away. • Do not smoke in bed. If a patient must smoke in bed, never leave them unattended. • Do not use shallow ashtrays. • Stoves should not be by curtain windows. • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. • Make sure long sleeves and loose parts of clothing are out of the way of the fire, when cooking. • When heaters are in use, make sure that the room is well ventilated. • Smoke detectors should be placed on each level of the home and batteries checked frequently to ensure proper operation. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * IN CASE OF ELECTRICAL FIRE * • Get everyone out of the area.• Report the fire. • If the fire is small, such as a piece of equipment: • Pull the plug, turn off the switch, or trip the circuit breaker. • Extinguish the fire with a “CLASS C” fire extinguisher (made specifically to put out electrical fires. • If the fire is large of threatens flammable materials, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF. • NEVER use water on an electrical fire. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * IN CASE OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK * • Call your local emergency services to treat the victim.• DO NOT TOUCH the person shocked. If you touch the victim with your hands, you could be shocked too. • Turn off the power or pull the plug to the machine, appliance, or equipment. • If you are unable to cut off the power, call the electric company.
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