UNSAFE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

1. UNSAFE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

2. Overview Survival Safety Tips Before the Home Visit Traveling to the Site During the Visit

3. SURVIVAL SAFETY TIPS Schedule home visits early in the day. Call the parent / caretaker prior. Do not stay if it doesn�t feel right. Carry a cell phone and pepper spray. Ask who is in the home. Do not stop your car if threatened. USE COMMON SENSE! If you are called upon to work alone, you can implement strategies to enhance your safety. When going to high-risk areas, schedule the child early in the day. Call the parent prior to make sure they are home. If you do not feel safe, DO NOT STAY. Reschedule Carry a cell phone and pepper spray. Always ask who is home if you suspect that there may be other people in the back room, so that you do not get surprised. If a group of threatening people are near your car, do not stop. USE COMMON SENSE!If you are called upon to work alone, you can implement strategies to enhance your safety. When going to high-risk areas, schedule the child early in the day. Call the parent prior to make sure they are home. If you do not feel safe, DO NOT STAY. Reschedule Carry a cell phone and pepper spray. Always ask who is home if you suspect that there may be other people in the back room, so that you do not get surprised. If a group of threatening people are near your car, do not stop. USE COMMON SENSE!

4. BEFORE THE HOME VISIT Gather information about family visiting Get clear directions Visit during daylight hours Leave a list at work Establish a procedure Request another staff member if you don�t feel safe Gather as much information about the family as possible before the visit. Obtain clear, specific directions to the home, Know exactly where you are going. If you have safety concerns, plan visit during daylight hours. If you must make a visit after dark, consider traveling by cab or using an escort system, so you won�t have to walk alone in the neighborhood. Lave a list at work of where you will be and call in at designated times. Establish a procedure with your supervisor to follow if you don�t call in. Request that another staff member accompany you if you don�t feel safe or if you will be delivering news that may be upsetting.Gather as much information about the family as possible before the visit. Obtain clear, specific directions to the home, Know exactly where you are going. If you have safety concerns, plan visit during daylight hours. If you must make a visit after dark, consider traveling by cab or using an escort system, so you won�t have to walk alone in the neighborhood. Lave a list at work of where you will be and call in at designated times. Establish a procedure with your supervisor to follow if you don�t call in. Request that another staff member accompany you if you don�t feel safe or if you will be delivering news that may be upsetting.

5. TRAVELING TO THE SITE Keep valuables out of sight or don�t bring them. Keep your car doors locked. Park in a well-lit visible area. Don�t get out of the car if you feel unsafe. Carry as little as possible into the home.

6. DURING THE VISIT Establish the goal Keep a clear path to the door Respect individual space Guard your privacy Pay attention to internal warning signals Establish the goal of the visit. State the goal to the parent or family you are visiting, and once you have achieved the goal, leave. Make it clear that you have a schedule to keep and are expected elsewhere. If possible, keep a clear path to the door. Avoid positioning yourself so that you could be trapped if you need to make a quick exit. Avoid entering bedrooms or other rooms away from the main exit. Respect an individual�s personal space. Maintain an appropriate distance. If you must touch the person in order to provide some type of care or assistance, explain exactly what you are going to do before you do it. Guard your privacy. Do not give out personal information, such as your home address or telephone number. Pay attention to your internal warning signals. Leave at any time if you don�t feel safe.Establish the goal of the visit. State the goal to the parent or family you are visiting, and once you have achieved the goal, leave. Make it clear that you have a schedule to keep and are expected elsewhere. If possible, keep a clear path to the door. Avoid positioning yourself so that you could be trapped if you need to make a quick exit. Avoid entering bedrooms or other rooms away from the main exit. Respect an individual�s personal space. Maintain an appropriate distance. If you must touch the person in order to provide some type of care or assistance, explain exactly what you are going to do before you do it. Guard your privacy. Do not give out personal information, such as your home address or telephone number. Pay attention to your internal warning signals. Leave at any time if you don�t feel safe.

7. ANY QUESTIONS?