Fire, Safety and Emergency Procedures

1. Fire, Safety and Emergency Procedures

2. OBJECTIVES • Describe and explain the importance of an emergency plan. • Describe and explain the principles of environmental, fire and medical emergency procedures. • Identify and explain safety techniques for direct care workers • Explain the use of a fire extinguisher

3. A. Emergency Planning 1. General Guidelines 2. Emergency Plan 3. The Service Plan 4. Procedure: Calling 911

4. B. Medical Emergencies • If there is a medical emergency or an injury, the caregiver needs to decide how to react. • Call 911 for emergencies, and handle minor scratches or insect bites on a case-by-case basis.

5. C. Falls – 1. Responding to a Fall Some agencies want staff to call the paramedics after every fall. Ask your manager about agency protocols.

6. C. Falls – 2. Fall Prevention To make living areas safer, seniors and people with disabilities should: • Remove tripping hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways • Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors • Have grab bars put in next to the toilet and in the tub or shower • Have handrails put in on both sides of stairways • Improve lighting throughout the home.

7. D. Fire Safety 1. Responding to a Fire • Three key elements of a fire • Oxygen • Heat • Fuel A fire needs all three elements to ignite and burn. To extinguish a fire you need to take at least one of the elements away.

8. 2. Fire Prevention • Principal consumer products associated with fires are: • Home heating devices • Upholstered furniture • Bedding • Cigarette lighters • Matches • Wearing apparel (clothes)

9. Safety Tips for the caregiver • How to be prepared for a fire • Cooking • Smoking • Heating • Electrical Safety • Using Oxygen