Helpful Safety Tips

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

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.

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.