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These Home Safety Instructions are provided to assist you in
identifying safety hazards in your home. To prevent accidents,
you should correct any hazards you identify:
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ENVIROMENTAL SAFETY
1. Walkways
- Remove throw rugs whenever possible to avoid tripping.
- If you can't remover throw rugs, use rugs with non-skid backing
to avoid slipping.
- Repair or replace torn carpeting to avoid tripping.
- Make the transition between types of flooring (such as wood floor
to carpeted floor) as even as possible and secure to
prevent tripping.
- Avoid waxing wood or linoleum floors to prevent slipping.
2. Stairs
- Rise between steps should ideally be no more than 5 inches.
- Make sure handrails are well anchored (or install handrails) on
both sides of the stairway.
- Non-skid treads can be placed on wooden stairs to prevent slipping.
- Make sure carpeting on stairs is secure.
3. Furniture Layout
- Arrange furniture so that pathways are not cluttered.
- Chairs and tables need to be sturdy and stable enough to support
a person leaning on them.
- Avoid furniture with sharp edges and corners - if furniture does
have sharp edges or corners, pad them.
- Chairs with arm rests and high backs provide more support when
sitting and more leverage when getting in and out of the chair.
4. Lighting
- Be sure that your lighting is ample to prevent falls and to assure
that you can read medication labels and instructions easily.
- Light switches should be immediately accessible upon entering
the room.
- Good lighting in hallways, stairs, and bathrooms is especially
important.
5. Medicines
- Keep medicines out of the reach of children. If you keep your
medicines out, be sure to put away when grandchildren or other small
children visit.
- Dispose of expired medicines properly - flushing down the toilet
is usually best.
6. Sliding Glass Doors
- Mark sliding glass doors with stickers to prevent someone from
walking through the glass door. |
BATHROOM
SAFETY
1. Bathtub
- Install skid-resistant strips or rubber mat.
- Use a bath seat if it is difficult to stand during a shower or
too difficult to get up out of the tub.
- Install grab bars on the side of the tub or shower for balance.
- DO NOT use the soap dish or towel bars for balance - these can
pull out of the wall very easily.
- Adjust water temperature to 120° or less, to prevent scalding.
2. Toilet
- Use an elevated toilet seat or commode if you need support getting
on and off the toilet or you are not able to bend you hip normally
after surgery.
- Install grab bars around the toilet if you need more leverage
to get off the toilet.
3. Doors
- Avoid locking bathroom doors or use only locks that can be opened
from both sides when you may need assistance in the bathroom. |
KITCHEN
SAFETY
- Store frequently used items at waist level - use a Reacher or
Grabber to avoid standing on a chair or footstool when items are
not at eye level.
- Mark "ON" and "OFF" positions clearly on the dials on the stove.
- Use the front burners of the stove to avoid reaching over burners
(unless there are small children in the home - in that case, use
back burners).
- Make sure pan/pot handles are not over other burners and not over
the edge of the stove.
- Slide heavy pans across the stove instead of trying to lift them.
- Keep baking soda near the stove to extinguish small cooking fires
and keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen if possible.
- Make sure the sleeves of your clothing are not loose or dangling
while cooking - they could easily catch fire.
- Tables with 4 legs are more stable than pedestal-type tables. |
EARTHQUAKE
PREPAREDNESS
Refer to the front section of your phone book to complete earthquake
information.
1. BEFORE
- Keep a 1-2 week supply of food/water on hand and consider any
special dietary needs or formulas you may use.
- Store a 1-2 week supply of medications and /or medical supplies
you will need (insulin, syringes, dressings).
- Know the procedure to follow if you are using medical equipment
that runs on electricity and there is a power failure (ventilators,
IV pumps, feeding pumps).
- Block or lock wheels of items such as hospital beds, commodes,
and refrigerators.
- Persons who live alone should appoint an official "buddy" (neighbor,
family member, friend) who will check on them after an earthquake.
- Anchor tall furniture to the wall and remove heavy items from
the top shelves.
2. DURING
- If inside, stay inside and take cover under a heavy desk, table,
or doorway away from windows or objects which may fall.
- Drag a bed bound patient (or transfer them to a wheelchair) to
move to a safe area.
- Lock the wheels on a wheelchair after moving to a safe area.
- If outside, stand away from trees, electrical lines, and buildings.
3. AFTER
- Home infusion patients should go to the nearest emergency room
if you run out of medications, solutions, or supplies and are unable
to contact AM PM HOME CARE . ALLpoint will attempt to contact patients
as soon as possible after an earthquake.
- If necessary, use an ambu bag for a ventilator-dependent patient
until you can connect to a back-up system.
- Turn off gas at the meter if you smell gas or hear hissing near
gas appliances. DO NOT LIGHT ANY MATCHES IF A GAS LEAK IS SUSPECTED.
- Assess for injuries and be prepared to administer First Aid.
- Turn on a portable radio to listen for instructions from Public
Safety Agencies. |
ELECTRICAL
SAFETY
1. Keep Appliances Away from Water - Dropping water on an
appliance or dropping an appliance into water (tub, sink, etc.)
can cause electrocution.
2. Use Only Appliances in Good Repair - Don't use lamps or
appliances that appear to have a "short" when operated.
3. Inspect Cords - Don't use appliances with cords that are
frayed or have wires exposed.
4. Grounded Plugs - Use grounded plugs or 3-prong adapters
for medical equipment.
5. Proper Use of Extension Cords - keep cords out of pathways
to avoid excessive wear and prevent tripping.
6. Proper Use of "Octopus" Plugs - Don't plug multiple appliances
into one electrical outlet to prevent overheating the plug.
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FIRE
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
1. Smoke Detectors are recommended in each bedroom, each
hallway, and in the kitchen.
2. A Fire Extinguisher (ABC type) should be mounted or stored
in a central and accessible area - make sure the extinguisher is
functioning and that all caring for you know how to use it.
3. DO NOT smoke in bed - it is a very hazardous fire danger.
4. DO NOT smoke while watching TV if you are sleepy or prone
to fall asleep.
5. Have an evacuation plan
- Someone who is bed bound will need to be placed in a wheelchair
and removed or placed on a blanket and dragged away from danger.
- Keep a hospital bed placed in the home (or the bedroom of someone
who is ill) close to an exit.
- Plan how to get someone who is ill out of an apartment that is
not on the first floor - know where the stairs are.
6. Space Heaters - keep away from furniture, cords, curtains,
or other items that could ignite. Keep away from walkways where
they can be bumped and cause burns.
7. Fireplaces - Make sure you have a fireplace screen.
8. Oxygen - Keep away from heat sources and open flames (including
smoking) - oxygen is highly flammable. Post signs prohibiting smoking.
9. Fire Response - Make sure you and all caring for you know
how to use 911 for emergencies. |
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