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Basic Home Safety
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| A. |
Electrical
Safety
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1. |
Electrical
cords should not be placed beneath furniture or rugs. |
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2. |
Inspect
the plugs and cords of all electrical equipment in the home,
arranging for repair, replacement, or non-use of any equipment
with frayed cords, exposed wiring, and loose wall outlets.
Frayed cords are replaced. |
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3. |
Never
overload an electrical circuit. Extension cords should not
be overloaded. Rating labels are checked on the cord and appliance. |
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4. |
Multiple
outlet adaptors should not be used on electrical outlets. |
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5. |
Equipment
is grounded properly. Use three-pronged grounded plugs, using
adaptors where necessary. |
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6. |
Stop
using equipment if you feel a tingling sensation when handling
equipment. |
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7. |
Watch
for sparks, smoke or overheating when using equipment. If
any f these occur, stop using equipment immediately, unplug
it, and contact Connetquot West for an inspection for potential
hazard. |
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8. |
Know
where the main circuit breaker or fuse box is located. |
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| B. |
Rugs,
Runners, and Mats
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1. |
Loose
rugs, runners and mats should be secured to the floor with
double sided adhesive or rubber matting, especially if the
customer is using a walking aide or with ambulation difficulty. |
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2. |
Carpet
edges should be tacked down. |
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3. |
Torn,
worn, or frayed carpeting should be repaired, replaced or
removed. |
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| C. |
Telephone
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1. |
One phone
should be accessible to the customer at all times. |
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a.
Place a phone at the customer's bedside within easy reach.
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b.
Place a phone nearest the area the customer spends most
of his/ her time. |
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2. |
Emergency
numbers should be posted next to each phone. |
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3. |
In the
event of an emergency, dial 911. |
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| D. |
Fire
Safety
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1. |
Enforce
smoking precautions. When oxygen is in use or in room, all
open flames and smoking materials are prohibited. |
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2. |
Use ashtrays
when smoking and completely extinguish all smoking materials. |
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3. |
Identify
the location of any and all fire extinguishers. Obtain fire
extinguishers if non are available. |
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4. |
Smoke
detectors should be installed in the home. |
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5. |
Have
an evacuation plan to exit your home in the event of a fire.
Prioritize family members who are dependent, non-ambulatory,
or require assistance. |
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6. |
Establish
clear pathways to all exits. DO NOT block exits with furniture,
boxes, equipment, toys, etc. |
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7. |
Have
all keys accessible to dead bolt locked doors near the doors. |
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8. |
Do not
leave food cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended
for extended periods of time. |
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9. |
Fireplace
chimneys should be inspected annually to avoid dangerous build
up of creosote. If the customer is receiving oxygen, never
start a fire in the fireplace. |
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10. |
Kerosene
heaters, wood stoves, space heaters, or fireplaces should
not be left unattended while in use. If the customer is receiving
oxygen, never start these items. |
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| E. |
Cupboards
and Closets
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1. |
Cupboards
should be organized so that frequently used items are on lower
shelves. |
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2. |
A sturdy
step stool should be used to reach items on high shelves. |
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3. |
Heavy
items should be stored flat on lower levels of the closet
to avoid falls and injuries. |
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| F. |
Bathroom
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1. |
Tubs
and showers should have a textured surface or nonskid mats
or strips to avoid falls. |
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2. |
Grab
bars to assist transfers should be installed in the tub, shower,
and toilet areas. |
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3. |
Water
temperature should be checked with your hand before entering
the tub or shower. |
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4. |
A night-light
should be used in the bathroom. |
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| G. |
Stairs,
Hallways, Passageways
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1. |
Stairs,
hallways and passageways between rooms should be well lit
and free of clutter. |
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2. |
Stairs
should have a sturdy, well-secured handrails on both sides. |
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3. |
Avoid
using stairs while wearing only socks or smooth-soled shoes. |
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4. |
Outdoor
entryways should be cleared of snow, leaves and ice.
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Safety
Guidelines for Medical Equipment and Supplies
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| A. |
Medical/Surgical
Supplies
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1. |
Storage
should be in an area isolated from children, pets and activity.
This area should be free of excessive heat, water, dust, and
contamination. |
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2. |
Medical/Surgical
supplies should be handled by professional employees, the
customer, or the caregiver who has been taught the proper
use. Avoid tearing or damage. Do not use supplies if there
are signs of contamination or the expiration date has passed. |
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3. |
Dispose
of supplies properly. All dressing materials, disposable equipment,
tubing, etc., should be double-bagged, firmly secured, and
placed in the trash. Sharp items are placed in a puncture
resistant container and placed in the household trash. |
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| B. |
Durable
Medical Equipment
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1. |
Equipment
is used in the customer care area. Equipment should be stored
in a convenient area easily accessible to clear pathways around
the customer area. All electrical equipment should be in an
area protected from excessive moisture. |
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2. |
Follow
the manufacturer's instructions concerning handling of your
equipment. All electrical equipment must be grounded. |
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3. |
Rental
equipment is returned to the medical equipment supplier for
the disposal. Purchased equipment is disposed of at the discretion
of the customer/family. |
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| C. |
Oxygen
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1. |
Oxygen
is kept away form open flames and heat. Tubing is not to
come in contact with stoves, space heaters, baseboard heating
coils, etc. |
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2. |
Oxygen
is handled only by people who have been instructed by a
Respiratory Therapist, Nurse or Home Medical Equipment company
Representative. |
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3. |
Tubing
that has been replaced is double-bagged, firmly secured,
and placed in household trashed. All other equipment is
removed by the Home Medical Equipment Supplier. |
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| D. |
Medications |
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1. |
Store
medications in a cool, dry place, secure from children and
pets. All medications should be kept in one area that is convenient
to the customer care area. Check all labels to determine if
the individual medication needs to be refrigerated. |
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2. |
Check
the expiration date on the medication. Determine the name
of the medication, dosage, and time before each dose is given.
Re- order ongoing prescriptions before the medication is finished
to assure the continuity of medication administration. |
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3. |
Old,
unused, expired, or discontinued medications including controlled
substances should be flushed down the toilet. Chemotherapy
or other toxic medications should be returned to the supplier
for disposal. |
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| E. |
Needles
and Syringes |
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1. |
Needles
and syringes should be stored in a cool, dry place, secure
from children and pets. |
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2. |
Check
the expiration date, signs of damage or contamination on the
package. Properly use and handle needles and syringes. |
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3. |
Needles
and syringes should be placed in a puncture-resistant sharps
container, and returned to the supplier for incineration.
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| F. |
Infectious
Waste |
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1. |
Wash
your hands before and after providing direct patient care. |
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2. |
Appropriately
handle and dispose of patient waste products, as outlined
in "Infectious Waste". |
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3. |
Appropriately
handle, clean, disinfect, and/or dispose of patient equipment
and/or supplies before and after use by the patient. |
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4. |
Cover
your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. |
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5. |
Cover
open sores or cuts on fingers or hands with clean bandages,
which are changed when they become soiled. |
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6. |
Use gloves
when appropriate |
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7. |
Keep
clean and dirty equipment/supplies separate. |
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8. |
Use sterile
items that are not outdated. |
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9. |
Regularly
clean, as appropriate, equipment and supplies. |
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10. |
Report
symptoms of an infection to your physician, for timely treatment.
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