Home Medical Equipment

Home Safety Tips

Home Medical Equipment

When in a patient’s home, our staff will help identify and resolve potential safety issues. They will help the patient BEEF up their safety at home: Bathroom safety, Electrical safety, Environmental safety, and Fire safety. Our staff check on the following:

Entrance & exit areas:

  • Are there railings at all steps?
  • Does the entryway have adequate lighting?
  • Can you clearly see the edges of the steps?
  • Is the walking surface in good condition?
  • Is anything stored in the stairway?
  • Can the door be safely opened without risk of falling?

Living area:

  • Are electrical cords or throw rugs obstructing walking pathways?
  • Do electrical outlets have too many plugs in them?
  • Is the heating/air conditioning unit in working order?
  • Are all chairs and sofas at a safe height for getting up and down?

Bedroom area:

  • Can the patient get safely in and out of bed?
  • Are personal items within easy reach?
  • Are lamps or light switches within reach of the bed?
  • Is anything covering an electric blanket when in use?
  • Is there a telephone nearby?

Bathroom area:

  • Is the floor clean and dry?
  • Are there secure railings in the bath and toilet area?
  • Is the toilet readily accessible with adequate lighting?
  • Are all pipes covered with appropriate insulation?
  • Are bathtubs and showers equipped with nonskid mats, abrasive strips, or surfaces that are not slippery?

Kitchen area:

  • Are all items in the kitchen accessible to the patient?
  • Are towels, curtains, and other objects that might catch fire away from the range?
  • Is the temperature of the water low enough to be safe?
  • Are appliances and food stuffs labeled for easy visibility?

In case of emergency::

  • Is there an emergency exit plan?
  • Does the patient know 2 exits to use in case of fire?
  • Is there a smoke detector available? Has it been tested in the last year?
  • Does the patient have a fire extinguisher?
  • Does the patient know how to get emergency help?
  • Are emergency numbers for fire, police, doctor, and family posted near the telephone?
  • Are all sharps and contaminated waste disposed of properly?
  • Are all supplies/medical gases/medications stored appropriately?
  • Are emergency numbers for fire, police, doctor, and family posted near the telephone?
  • Are all sharps and contaminated waste disposed of properly?
  • Are all supplies/medical gases/medications stored appropriately?
  • Does the patient/caregiver understand how to safely handle equipment and is all equipment in good working order?
  • Are there sufficient outlets for medical equipment?
  • Is there a backup plan for power failures?
Home Medical Equipment - Home Safety Tips