Home Safety

At Landmark Healthcare, our primary goal is our Patients' well-being. We want to make sure all of our Patients' home medical equipment is used safely and effectively. Below are some tips to implement in your home before and after your home medical equipment has been delivered.     Fire Safety and Prevention 

• Take the extra steps necessary to ensure you have completely safeguarded your home against fires

• Install smoke detectors in your home and check the batteries at least once a year 

• If you have gas burning appliances, consider carbon monoxide detectors as well 

• Put a fire extinguisher in your home and test it regularly to make sure it is charged and in working order 

• Establish a fire escape plan and discuss this plan with your family 

• Understand the hazards of smoking, especially if you use oxygen 

• Review electrical safety instruction sheets when using medical equipment requiring electricity 

Safety in the Bedroom 

• Arrange a safe, well-planned and comfortable bedroom, since much of your recuperation and home therapy may occur there. 

• Make sure that all furniture, loose carpets and electrical cords are out of the way to avoid tripping and falling while walking 

• A hospital bed and bed accessories could be helpful during recuperation and therapy 

• If you have difficulty walking, consider grab bars strategically placed in your bedroom to assist you moving across the room 

• Make sure you can easily reach light switches and other important things you might need through the day or night 

• Install night-lights to help you find your way in the dark at night 

• Make sure you have a telephone that is easily accessible from your bed or place of rest 

• Do not smoke in bed 

Safety in the Bathroom 

• Smooth surfaces in the bathroom can be very dangerous, especially for unsteady persons. 

• Use non-slip rugs on the floor 

• A grab-bar on the shower wall, footing strips in the tub, or a shower chair may help in maintaining balance 

• If you have difficulty sitting or standing, a raised toilet seat with arm supports may make it easier to get on and off the commode 

• If you have problems sensing hot and cold, consider adjusting the temperature setting of your water heater to prevent accidental scalding 

Electrical Safety 

• Make sure that all medical equipment is plugged into a properly grounded electrical outlet 

• If you have to use a three-prong adapter, make sure it is properly installed by attaching the ground wire to the plug outlet screw 

• Use only good quality outlet “extenders” or “power strips” with internal circuit breakers. Don’t use basic household extension cords 

Safety in the Kitchen 

• Organize your kitchen so you can easily reach and use common items. 

• Have a friend or family member remove all common small appliances and utensils from cabinets and place them where you can easily access and use them 

• Have a sturdy chair brought into the kitchen counter work area if you have difficulty standing 

• Lift pots and pans carefully; they can be hot and heavy. Use padded mitts to firmly grasp pans and pots on both sides 

• Consider utensils for manually impaired or arthritic persons, including basic electric can openers, bottle and jar openers and large-handled utensils 

• When working at your stove, be very careful that tubing does not hang over the heat

Getting Around Safely 

• If using assist devices for walking, here are some key points:  

• Install permanent or temporary guardrails on stairs to give you additional support if you are using a cane or are unsteady 

• If you are using a walker, make sure that furniture and walkways are arranged to give you enough room 

• If you are using a walker or wheelchair, you may need a ramp for getting into or out of the house. Ramps can be purchased ready-made, or may be constructed for you 

• Be sure walking areas are clear of power cords or other obstacles that could increase your risk of injury due to falling 

• Take care around loose carpets or throw rugs 

Medication Storage 

• Prevent accidental poisoning by storing chemical and other potentially harmful items separately from medicine and food. 

• Keep medicine out of reach of children and in original containers 

• Call poison control immediately if you believe you have come in contact with or ingested a harmful chemical or substance. Poison Controls number is 800-222-1222 

What To Do If You Get Hurt 

• In case of a medical emergency, call 911 

• If you have any questions about safety that aren’t answered here, please call us and we will be happy to give you recommendations for your individual needs.