11.2.2: Fire Safety
In addition to preventing accidental injuries from falls, burns, cuts, choking, and poisoning, Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides also play an important role in fire prevention and fire safety. They must be aware of potential fire hazards and take steps to prevent fires.
Guidelines for Fire Prevention:
- Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are present on every floor in the home, including the basement. The batteries should be changed at least once per year (CDC, 2014a). If their patient’s home does not have detectors, discuss their concern with their supervisor. There may be community and agency resources available to provide these to the patient.
- Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors several times a year to ensure they are properly working.
- Encourage and assist families to develop fire safety plans and to practice fire drills.
- Every family should have a designated safe meeting place in the event they must leave the home during a fire.
- Every bedroom should have at least two exits (CDC, 2014a).
- Teach children fire safety.
- Teach patients to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing ever catches on fire.
- Never leave unattended candles or items such as incense that have a flame where a potential burn can occur. Discourage patients to use these items if they require supervision to do so.
- Do not smoke in the home and discourage patients and family from doing so. Ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished. Prior to emptying ashtrays, ensure there are no hot ashes.
- Never leave the stove unattended while cooking.
- Pay attention that pots do not boil over.
- Take care not to splash oil while cooking to prevent grease fires.
- Empty the lint trap after every use of the dryer. Never run the dryer when you are not home.
- Never leave space heaters, electric heaters, kerosene, or gas heaters on unattended and when someone is not home. Ensure all these types of appliances are in good working order.
- Ensure fire extinguishers are in the home, that they have not expired, and that you and others in the family know how to use them.
- Do not store fire extinguishers near the stove where you may not be able to reach it if there is a fire on the stove.
- Do not wear loose clothing while working on the stove. Teach patients to roll up sleeves and to also avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking.
- Ensure hallways and exits, such as doorways and windows are not cluttered to prevent emergency exit.
- Keep emergency numbers near the phone for easy access.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher:
When using a fire extinguisher, the acronym PASS should be kept in mind.
- P: Pull the pin
- A: Aim at the base of the fire
- S: Squeeze the handle
- S: Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire
In Case of Fire:
In case of fire, remember the acronym RACE .
- R: Remove patients from danger
- A: Activate 911
- C: Contain the fire if safe and possible to do so
- E: Extinguish fire or call the fire department to do so
Other Things to Remember in Case of a Fire:
- The first priority is to get you and the patient to safety.
- Remain calm and direct the patient and others in the home to safety.
- Never try to put out a large fire or put yourself or others in danger.
- Stay low in rooms with fire.
- Close doors and if possible, plug doorways with blankets to prevent smoke from entering.
- Place a wet towel over the patient’s face and your face to decrease smoke inhalation.
- Should a person’s clothing catch on fire, remember to tell them to stop, drop, and roll.
- Keep the patient and all others far away from the home once you have left.
- Wait for instruction from the fire department.
- Notify the supervisor once you have reached a safe destination.
1. Put in order how you should use a fire extinguisher:
1). Pull the pin
2). Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire
3). Squeeze the handle
4). Aim at the base of the fire
True or False
2. The first priority is to get the patient and yourself to safety. True or False? _________
Multiple Choice
3. Which of the following is not a way to prevent fires?
a). Teach children fire safety
b). Do not smoke in the home
c). Check batteries in smoke detectors at least twice per year
d). Turn the dryer on right before you leave the house
True or False
4. You should call the fire department if there is a fire before you call a supervisor or anyone else. True or False? _________
- Answer
-
1. 1, 4, 3, and 2
2. True
3. D
4. True
FEEDBACK:
1. Remember the acronym PASS for how to use a fire extinguisher. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep back and forth at the base of the fire.
2. Safety is always the first priority when dealing with a fire. Do not go back in the home or stall leaving in order to retrieve belongings. The most important thing is to get yourself and the patient to safety.
3. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides play an important role in preventing fires and educating patients and their families about fire prevention. Teach children and adults fire safety, do not smoke in the home, and check batteries in smoke detectors at least once per year. The dryer should never be on when leaving the house. The HHA/PCA should also be sure to empty the lint trap prior to using the dryer every time in order to prevent fires.