February 12, 2026   |  Safety Inservice

Fire Plan
When starting a new case, it is essential to develop a fire escape plan. In facilities, know where the nearest exit doors and stairwells are. When going to activities or the dining room, take a moment to look around and be aware of the nearest exits. 

Remember that you will not be able to use elevators during a fire, as it is dangerous and can be deadly.

If power goes out, you could get trapped; the elevator might also take you to the floor with the most intense fire, making escape less likely. Always use the stairs to exit. In a private home, make a mental plan for escaping from each room. Make sure that the doors and windows you plan to use are accessible, checking for burglar bars or doors and windows that are nailed or painted shut, which could block your escape.

Check for safety hazards that can cause a fire: 

• Inadequate Ventilation Around An Oxygen Concentrator
• Dirty Or Clogged Filters On The Oxygen Concentrator
• Frayed Electrical Cords
• Overloaded Outlets
• Paint Or Other Flammable Materials Around The Heater
• Forgetful Clients Smoking In Bed Or On Upholstered Furniture
• Space Heaters
• Smoking Around Oxygen
• Unattended Candles
• Unattended Fireplaces
• Clutter Around A Open Gas Flame Heater
• Clutter On The Counter Near The Stove
• Forgetful Clients Leaving The Stove On

Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen is a good idea, but should only be used on small, localized fires. If it does not quickly put out the fire, get out of the house!. If the fire is spreading or there is oxygen in the house, get out of the house and then call 911 from a neighbor’s house. Do not go back into a burning house for personal possessions or to call for help.

Critically important: Always notify emergency responders if there are oxygen devices in the home!

Burns

Older adults or clients with poor circulation are at higher risk for burns. Since they have poor circulation and a diminished sense of feel, they can get burned by a space heater if they place their feet too close and don't realize they are being burned. Also, be cautious around hot water bottles, heating pads, and electric blankets for the same reason—check the skin often during use for redness. Make sure electric heating devices are turned off and unplugged when not in use.

Use caution when cooking with the elderly, ensuring they do not wear loose clothing that could catch fire on the stove. Make sure the stove is turned off after use. Also, keep paper and other clutter away from the stove and space heaters.

The elderly or ill will sunburn more quickly than normal. Be sure to limit time in direct sun and have the client use sunscreen.

Burns should be flushed with cool water. Never use butter, petroleum jelly, or oils on fresh burns. Call 911 for any burn greater than first degree.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. Carbon monoxide is an inhaled poison; some sources of carbon monoxide are:

• A faulty heater in the home or workplace
• Automobile Exhaust- Running a car in a closed garage will build up carbon monoxide.
• Gas leaks from a stove, gas dryer, or hot water heater – chemicals are added to natural gas used in the home to give it a “gas odor” that can be detected; carbon monoxide does have an odor by itself.
• Smoke inhalation
• Poor ventilation from a wood-burning stove or fireplace

Remember that apart from natural gas with added odor, there is no warning sign for carbon monoxide gas in the home. Sometimes, there is a slow leak of carbon monoxide from the heater or woodstove. 

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can resemble the flu, with headache, drowsiness, muscular weakness, dizziness, or a feeling of drunkenness. Skin may appear bluish or cherry red, and the lips can also turn cherry red. If you suspect you and your client are being poisoned by carbon monoxide, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE into fresh air and call 911. Carbon monoxide poisoning deprives the body tissues of oxygen, which can cause brain and heart muscle damage, and if not reversed, DEATH. Paramedics and hospital staff treat carbon monoxide poisoning with 100% oxygen. NEVER CALL 911 FROM THE HOUSE; GET OUT FIRST. Be alert to gas leaks and a gassy odor in the home, especially in the fall when the heat first turns on. It’s important to have the heater serviced and checked for leaks annually.

Do not start the car in a closed garage open the door before starting the car and do not close the door until the car is turned off.

Crimes Affecting The Elderly

In the home—elderly persons are more vulnerable to crime due to decreased strength, poor vision, and hearing. They also often live in deteriorating neighborhoods where crime rates are higher.

Prevention Of Crime In The Home:

• Use only a first initial and last name in telephone listings and on mailboxes
• Do not open the door to strangers even with a chain lock. Chain locks are not sturdy and the door can easily be forced open. If there is no peep hole,
• encourage the family to install one if the elderly client is alone in the home.
• Lock all doors and windows
• Keep shrubs and plantings cut down around windows and entry ways so an intruder will not have a hiding place and can be seen by passersby if he is trying to enter a home.
• Do not allow strangers into the home to use the phone.
• Store valuables in a locked box or safety deposit box at the bank.
• Photograph valuables and keep them in a relative’s home or a safety deposit box.
• Know the neighbors and report any unusual activity around the home.
• Do not allow mail, newspapers and other deliveries to build up in the driveway or mailbox.

Con Artists / Scam
The con artist makes a living by exploiting others. He is usually a "NICE GUY” who befriends his victim until he breaks them down and makes his "sale." He drains bank accounts, etc., and does not deliver what he promised. Con artists are not usually violent and are very mobile, moving from town or state to state to carry out their scams. The elderly are good targets because they tend to be more trusting of people. The con artist can drain bank accounts, insurance policies, home titles, and other assets.

Tips To Detect Con Artist or Scam

• “This is a limited time offer only good this week” or a similar claim. If it is a legitimate there should not be a time limit
• There is no local address or phone number
• There is no online business listing
• Scheme is too good to be true - get rich quick or obtain something for nothing. contest requiring you to give a bank account draft or credit card number or social security number
• Someone comes door to door offering to repair a roof or SEAL a driveway, if repairs are needed the homeowner should initiate the call to a reputable company.
• Many requests will come in mail for donations to companies and charities that are not legitimate. The elderly mail millions of dollars in donations to phony charities every year. If you see many requests in the mail or the client says they are sending money to many different “charities” report it to the office or the family who is usually not aware that the client is draining their resources to a con.

You can teach your client how to stay safe at home and avoid crimes against the elderly, but you cannot make decisions on their behalf. If you notice anything that seems off, call the office and/or the family and report it.

Oxygen In The Home

Home oxygen is very common; it is delivered by an oxygen concentrator, an oxygen tank, or rarely, liquid oxygen.

Safety Tips for Oxygen Safety

• Do not allow smoking in the home when oxygen is in use.
• Keep the oxygen source and the client on oxygen at least 5 feet away from open flames such as a gas stove or heater.
• Do not place the oxygen source in a laundry room near the dryer or gas heater.
• Do not use oils or Vaseline to lubricate an oxygen tank.
• Avoid using non-water-soluble oils or lubricants on clients using oxygen.
• Ensure the filters on the oxygen concentrator are cleaned every visit or daily, by washing in soapy water, rinsing, drying, and then replacing on the machine.
• Keep the oxygen concentrator away from walls to allow airflow, which helps prevent overheating and fire hazards.
• Remember, oxygen supports combustion; fires will burn faster and spread quickly in an oxygen-rich environment. If a fire occurs, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE and call 911.
• Always inform the fire department that there is oxygen in the house.

*2 in-service credit hours