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Are
You In Jeopardy?
HOME
SAFETY CHECKLIST
Kitchen
Do You Have…
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Yes
|
No
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A sturdy stool for reaching your
cupboards?
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Yes
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No
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Your everyday dishes, kitchen supplies
within easy reach?
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Yes
|
No
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Your tile, linoleum and carpeting
secure to the floor?
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Yes
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No
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The dials on your stove clearly
marked ON/OFF?
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TIPS
·
Keep
heavy items in lower cupboards and light items no higher than shoulder
height.
·
If you wax your floor use a non-slip wax. This should
be written on the label.
·
Remove
scatter rugs as they are a common cause of falls.
·
Don’t wear loose clothing while cooking. Hanging fabric
can easily catch on fire.
·
Turn
pot handles inward to prevent accidental tipping of the pot.
·
Use oven mitts for handling all hot items. Remember
items from the microwave are also HOT.
·
An appliance store will order new dials for your stove.
A red marker can also be used to mark the stove.
·
Use
a stool with a handle and rubber tips.
Bedroom/Bathroom
Do You Have…
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Yes
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No
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Grab bars in your bathroom?
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Yes
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No
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A rubber bath mat in your tub?
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Yes
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No
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A non skid bath mat beside your
tub?
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Yes
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No
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A clear well lit path from the
bedroom to bathroom for nighttime travel.
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Yes
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No
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Easy access to the telephone and
lamp from your bed?
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TIPS
·
Keep a flashlight with extra batteries at your bedside
to help you see at night when the other lights in the room are off
or when escaping a smoke filled room. Never use a candle.
·
Post
emergency numbers by all phones for easy access.
·
To increase your safety, grab bars may be installed
around the tub and toilet. These may be purchased from a home health
services and supply store (see yellow pages) where you can get advice
on the proper installation.
·
The
towel rack and soap dish are not designed to be used as grab
bars.
·
A
home health services and supplies store can advise you on safety products
such as bath stools for the bathroom.
Basement
Do You Have…
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Yes
|
No
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Stairways
that are well lit and free of clutter?
|
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Yes
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No
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Secure
handrails on both sides of the stairway?
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Yes
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No
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The
knowledge to change a fuse or reset a circuit breaker?
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Yes
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No
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Your
hot water heater set at no more than 130F or 54C?
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Yes
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No
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The
knowledge to store and dispose of hazardous waste safely? Eg.
Paint, turpentine, gasoline etc.
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TIPS
·
Adding
a strip along the edge of each step, in a contrasting colour, makes
the stairs easier to see.
·
Handrails
on both sides of stairwells should project beyond the top and
bottom step.
·
Learn where your fuse box or circuit breaker panel
is located. Check with an electrician or Ontario Hydro regarding
concerns about fuses/circuits.
·
If
you are unsure of which fuse to buy, take the fuse you want replaced
to the store and let the clerk advise you.
·
Phone
your appropriate regional or municipal office for information about
the disposal of hazardous wastes.
Medications
Do You…
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Yes
|
No
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Have your medications in clearly
labeled bottles?
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|
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Yes
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No
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Keep
your medications in a cool, dry area? (NOT THE BATHROOM)
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|
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Yes
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No
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Take your medication in a brightly
lit room?
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Yes
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No
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Discard your medications after
the expiry date?
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Yes
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No
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Use only medication that has been
prescribed for you?
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Yes
|
No
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Understand the purpose for each
of the medications you are taking?
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TIPS
·
Ask
your doctor or pharmacist questions about your medications such as
why you are taking it; side effects and alternatives to taking medications.
·
Complete
a medication record and keep it with you at all times, including allergies
and medical conditions.
·
If
you have difficulty swallowing medications or opening a container
talk to your pharmacist.
Remember
you have a right to be informed and to ask questions!
Fire
Hazard Check
Do
You Have…
|
Yes
|
No
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Extension cords in good condition
and out of travel paths?
|
|
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Yes
|
No
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Electrical outlets that are not
overloaded?
|
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Yes
|
No
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One working smoke alarm for each
level of your home?
|
|
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Yes
|
No
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A fire extinguisher in your kitchen?
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Yes
|
No
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An emergency exit, and escape plan,
in case of fire?
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|
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TIPS
·
Electrical
cords under carpets cause friction and can result in damage to wire
casing.
·
It is required by law that each home have at least
one smoke alarm. Contact your local fire department for the correct
location of this alarm.
·
It
is recommended that new batteries be put in your smoke alarm two times
per year when you change your clocks.
·
The
recommended location for a fire extinguisher is in the kitchen secured
on a bracket, away from the stove.
·
Your
local fire department may be able to assist you in developing an escape
plan from your home.
·
Your
gas company will assist you if the pilot light on your furnace goes
out or if you smell gas in your home.
Security
Check
Do You Have…
|
Yes
|
No
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Lights
on in the house when you are away for any length of time?
|
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Yes
|
No
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A
door viewer on your exterior doors?
|
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Yes
|
No
|
Windows
that have operating locks?
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TIPS
·
Putting a couple of lights on timers, and leaving a
radio on in the house will give the lived-in impression to potential
intruders. Always let a neighbour know you are away.
·
A
door viewer in addition to good lighting is the best security system
because you can see the person before opening the door.
·
Keep
all doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are inside
the house.
·
Don’t open the door to anyone you are not expecting.
Be confident, “JUST SAY NO!” If you have any concerns, call your
neighbour or the police immediately.
·
A friend or family member may be willing to be your
“buddy” so that you may call them in cases of concern. Make sure
they have a key to your house.
·
Make
arrangements for someone to pick up your mail, shovel your snow or
cut your lawn while you are away.
·
Know
how to safely operate your apartment intercom.
If
you have answered “yes” to all of the questions, CONGRATULATIONS!!
If
you have answered “No” your home/your safety may be in Jeopardy.Follow
the tips to IMPROVE YOUR SAFETY or call one of the following for advice:
|
Information London |
432-2211 |
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VON
HOMME Program |
245-3856 |
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- Middlesex
Country
- Community
Resource
|
1-800-265-7058 |
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Middlesex-London
Health Unit |
663-5317 |
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- Public
Health Nursing
- Environmental
Health
|
Ext.
2280 |
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Ext.
2300 |
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Middlesex-London
Home Care |
663-5410 |
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London
Police Department |
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- Safety
Education
- Crime
Prevention
|
661-5680 |
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661-5684 |
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London
Fire Department |
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661-4622 |
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Household
Hazardous Waste |
471-7080 |
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Ontario
Hydro |
681-1708 |
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Union
Gas |
667-4100 |
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Physician |
Pharmacist |
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Produced by:
Middlesex-London Health Unit
Public Health Nursing
50 King Street
London, Ontario N6A 5L7
Phone: 663-5317 Ext. 2280 FAX: 663-9581
|
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