Home Safety List For Elderly

!±8± Home Safety List For Elderly

It's a good idea to tour your aging parents home to ensure it is set-up safely. The next time you are over to their house, have them give you a tour. That way you can see how safe their home is for them. Can they manage the stairs safely? Is there enough light? Do they hold onto walls or furniture when walking?

The following is an outline of items to keep in mind. It is not exhaustive but gives a general idea of things to look for. It is a good idea to do this at least every 3-4 months or whenever your parents abilities/health changes.

Entrance/Access

Lighting - Is it adequately lit? House number - Is it visible from the road? Both for visitors or emergency vehicles Stairs - Is there a railing (preferably one on each side)? Are they in good repair? Mailbox - is it accessible? Is the path to/from in good repair?

General Home

Lighting - are all hallways and rooms adequately lit? Rugs - are rugs secured? Throw rugs can be a fall hazard. Clutter free - Are hallways and rooms clutter-free? Animals/Pets - Pets can be a potential fall hazard if they are not well behaved. Seating at entrances - Is there a place to sit down to put on and remove shoes? Safety - First aid kits on all levels? Are emergency numbers posted at all phones? Doors - Do they have lever handles to allow for easy opening?

Stairs

Lighting - are they properly lit? Light switches - Are there light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs? Throw rugs - Are they secured? Rugs can be a fall hazard. Clutter - Are the stairs clutter free? Non-slip surface - Do they have non-slip surfaces? Handrails - Are there handrails? Preferably on both sides.

Fire Safety

Smoke detectors - Are there smoke detectors on every floor and tested within the last 6 months Escape route - Is there an escape route and plan? Carbon monoxide - Is there a carbon monoxide detector? Hazardous and flammable materials - Are they properly labeled and stored? Space heaters - Are they being used properly and away from flammable materials? Power bars - Are they being used properly? Electrical cords - Are they being used properly? Fire extinguishers - Are they located on all levels of the house and tested regularly?

Bathroom

Hot water temperature - is it set at a recommended 49 C (120 F)? Non slip surfaces - Is there a non-clip mat in the bathtub and/or shower? Lighting - Is it adequately lit? Door lock - Is there an emergency exterior release for the door lock? Grab bars - Are there grab bars at the toilet, bathtub and/or shower? Are they secure Bath or shower seat - Is there a seat or stool? Hand held shower - Makes it easier to shower while seated Faucets - Are they level handles to easily turn on/off?

b>Kitchen

Storage - Are items within reach? Lighting - Is it adequately lit? Small appliances - Do they have automatic shut-offs? Appliances - Do they have easy to use dials that are clearly marked? Fire extinguisher - Is it accessible and tested regularly?

Bedroom

Lighting - Is it adequately lit? Bed height - Can the user get in/out of it easily? Clutter - Is the room clutter free? Phone - Is there a phone at the bedside so the user can call if there is an emergency and does not have to rush to another room to answer the phone?

Garage/Basement/Laundry

Lighting - Is is adequately lit? Phone - Is there a telephone nearby so the user can call if there is an emergency and does not have to rush to another room to answer the phone? Floors - Are they clutter free? Storage - Are items safely stored with heavier items close to the floor? Hazardous and flammable materials - Are they clearly marked and stored properly?

Home Safety List For Elderly

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Real apple analysis of a First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector

!±8± Real apple analysis of a First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector

An unofficial test of a First Alert Model CO606 Carbon Monoxide Detector. After I made this video, I found another video which confirmed my findings. www.youtube.com There they say Fire Fighters put on masks at 35 ppm CO! (Whereas the First Alert won't alarm until 400 ppm.) In the aforementioned video, they show a unit which responds very quickly, Exactly what I was looking for. The NSI 3000 looks to be a good deal. The biggest bang for your buck. See www.youtube.com

Real apple analysis of a First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector

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No Fire, But Why Is The Smoke Alarm Beeping?

!±8± No Fire, But Why Is The Smoke Alarm Beeping?

We'd always heard how great it was having a new house, so when we finally got ours, we expected big things. Unfortunately we had no choice but to move in even though there was a lot of work not done. We had no air conditioning in the August heat, no running water, and our only potty was at the gas station down the road. We were hot, exhausted, and grouchy.

So what does this story have to do with a beeping smoke alarm? Everything, as you will soon see. We worked through the days only to throw our sweaty bodies in bed each night. The only bed we'd been able to dig from the pile in our garage was full-sized and nothing like the king we were used to, but at least we had a bed.

I went to bed that night thinking I'd fall asleep immediately. But, I was very hot and the bed was small, and I couldn't get to sleep for quite awhile. I don't think I'd been sleeping any length of time until I was awakened by a beeeep! What? Back to sleep. Beeeep! What's going on? My husband opened one eye and mumbled, "What's your problem?" He's unable to hear high-pitched sounds, so he's unimpressed with my plight. Beeeep! He's already back asleep, and several beeps later, I manage to join him.

In the morning (Beeeep!) I'm finally cognizant enough to realize what's going on. It has to be a smoke alarm. But what the heck? They were just installed brand new. They worked fine yesterday. Beeeep! My husband has no interest in tracking the beep down, but I bug him until he goes and digs out a ladder. A heavy 10' ladder. It's the only way he can reach our tray ceilings.

Beeeep!
He drags it from smoke alarm to smoke alarm, but all the batteries are fine. After slamming the last one back together in disgust, he climbs down. Beeeep! A thought strikes him. What if he loosened one of the batteries while slamming it back in? Beeeep! So, he hauls the ladder around again.

Our carpenter comes bounding in. My tactful husband says, "What'd you guys do to the smoke alarms? Something's beeping." Beeeep! "Kinda dirty around here," the man observes helpfully. "Maybe one of the connections is dirty."

Silently, shoulders slumping, my husband gathers up paper towels, cleaner, and his trusty ladder, and makes the rounds for the third time, cleaning the connections. He climbs down for the final time. Beeeep! The carpenter says, "Maybe an alarm just needs reset." I could tell my husband was ready to punch him, but instead he quietly makes another round. Beeeep!

The carpenter slaps his forehead in disgust. "Now I remember," he says. "The electric dude said he thought maybe there was a short somewhere." Face red, but still silent, my husband picks up the ladder and goes to the garage. Beeeep! He climbs up through the hole to the attic, and starts crawling resolutely through the hot dusty space in search of smoke alarms. Of course, he finds a loose connection on the very last one. But at least now there's silence!

No Fire, But Why Is The Smoke Alarm Beeping?

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