Home Safety Checks

Our Home Safety Check Services

Our Home Safety Checks are preventative assessments intended to identify common hazards that could lead to falls, fires, or other emergencies, tailored to the unique layout and needs of your loved one’s home. Conducted during regular visits or as part of our Wellness Safeguard Visits (once or twice weekly for seniors needing minimal assistance), these checks are thorough yet efficient, helping to prevent injuries and costly medical bills. Our caregivers use a standardized checklist to recommend practical solutions, but we advise that any significant home modifications (e.g., electrical upgrades, ramp installations) be performed by qualified professionals to ensure safety and compliance with local codes. Our comprehensive checklist includes:

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

• Verify that smoke alarms are installed on every level, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms, and CO detectors are placed on every level and near sleeping areas.
• Test alarms monthly to confirm functionality, recommending dual smoke/CO alarms for enhanced protection, and suggest battery replacements or long-lasting LED alarms.
• Note: Installation or repair of alarms should be handled by a licensed professional if beyond basic maintenance.

Emergency Escape Planning

• Develop a personalized escape plan with at least one safe exit from every room, prioritizing routes accessible for seniors with mobility challenges, and review it with your loved one.
• Share plan details with family via our secure family portal, recommending consultation with fire safety experts for complex escape routes.

Telephone Safety

• Ensure emergency phone numbers are posted near or on telephones, using large, lighted-number phones for vision-impaired clients.
• Place low-height telephones in bedrooms and key areas for accessibility in case of falls or emergencies.

Walking Surfaces and Fall Prevention

• Inspect walking surfaces to ensure they are flat, slip-resistant, and free of tripping hazards like loose carpets, area rugs, or electrical cords.
• Recommend securing area rugs with non-skid backing or mats, particularly in high-traffic areas like bedrooms, entries, and kitchens.
• Suggest removing or relocating objects that pose risks, noting that structural changes (e.g., floor repairs) require professional contractors.

Steps and Stairways

• Check that steps and stairways have flat, even surfaces with slip-resistant treads (e.g., low-pile carpeting or non-slip strips).
• Confirm continuous, secure handrails on both sides of stairways and light switches at the top and bottom for safe navigation, recommending professional installation if needed.
• Clear tripping hazards from stairs to enhance safety for seniors with mobility limitations.

Lighting

• Assess lighting to ensure adequate brightness for seniors with vision loss, recommending LED bulbs (15 watts or less for equivalent 60-watt brightness) for efficiency and longevity (15-25 years).
• Ensure light fixtures use appropriate wattage (no more than 60 watts unless labeled otherwise) to prevent overheating, advising professional electrician services for upgrades.
• Suggest additional lighting in dim areas to reduce fall risks, sharing recommendations with families via our portal.

Electrical Safety

• Verify that outlets in damp areas (kitchens, bathrooms, garages, exterior) have ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles, testing them with built-in test/reset buttons.
• Ensure electrical cords are out of foot traffic paths and not placed under rugs to prevent overheating or tripping, recommending electrician services for rewiring if necessary.
• Confirm extension cords do not exceed 1625 watts total for plugged-in appliances, suggesting safer alternatives as needed.

Kitchen Safety

• Confirm the presence of a working fire extinguisher and a functional ventilation system to remove pollutants and CO from gas appliances.
• Recommend a sturdy step stool with a handrail for safe access to high shelves, ensuring it is stable and appropriate for use.
• Identify hazards like cluttered counters, sharing findings with families and suggesting professional repairs for unsafe appliances.

Living Room and Family Room Safety

• Recommend annual professional chimney inspections and cleanings to prevent fire hazards, coordinating with licensed chimney services.
• Ensure portable space heaters are placed at safe distances from flammable materials, as specified on heater labels, and advise against candles or smoking near combustibles.
• Share safety recommendations with families via our portal for transparency.

Bathroom Safety

• Ensure bathrooms have non-skid mats, non-skid strips, or built-in non-skid surfaces and at least one grab bar near showers and toilets, recommending professional installation for grab bars.
• Verify that bathroom floors are slip-resistant or covered with slip-resistant materials.
• Keep small electrical appliances away from sinks and tubs, ensuring all bathroom outlets are GFCI-protected, with professional electrician consultation for upgrades.

Bedroom Safety

• Remove fire hazards like ashtrays, candles, or smoking materials from areas near flammable bedding or furniture.
• Place a flashlight and telephone within reach of the bed for emergencies like power outages or fires.
• Ensure electrically heated blankets are not covered or tucked in during use to prevent overheating.

Basements, Garages, and Storage Areas

• Check water heaters are set to 120°F or lower to prevent scalding burns, recommending professional adjustments if needed.
• Suggest annual professional inspections for fuel-burning appliances (e.g., furnaces, water heaters) and chimneys, coordinating with licensed technicians.
• Ensure no flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline, kerosene) are stored indoors or in garages, and confirm portable generators are never used inside to avoid CO poisoning.
• Verify electrical panels use correct fuse sizes (15 or 20 amps for most residential circuits) and recommend upgrading older fuse panels to circuit breakers by a licensed electrician, ensuring all receptacles are GFCI-protected.

Home Exterior

• Ensure porches, steps, and entries are well-lit with slip-resistant surfaces and at least one handrail, recommending professional ramp installations for seniors unable to navigate steps safely.
• Confirm exterior electrical outlets are GFCI-protected and in weatherproof enclosures, suggesting electrician services for upgrades.
• Assess outdoor areas for accessibility, sharing recommendations with families via our portal for modifications like ramps.

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Older Adult Fall Prevention. Retrieved from cdc.gov/falls.
• National Fire Protection Association. (2020). Home Fire Victims by Age and Gender. Retrieved from nfpa.org.

Why Choose Caring First, LLC’s Home Safety Checks?

Our Home Safety Checks are a preventative service designed to enhance senior safety while minimizing risks in their Pennsylvania homes:

• Proactive Risk Reduction: We aim to reduce fall and fire risks, supported by CDC and NFPA data, though we cannot guarantee elimination of all hazards.
• Personalized Assessments: Checks are tailored to your loved one’s home and mobility needs, with recommendations for practical, safe solutions.
• Technology-Enhanced Communication: Our secure family portal shares detailed safety reports and recommendations, keeping families informed and reassured.
• Affordable Integration: Safety checks are included in Wellness Safeguard Visits or regular care plans at no extra cost, ensuring accessibility.
• Compassionate Expertise: Our trained caregivers provide safety assessments with care and compassion, supporting your loved one’s independence, with complex modifications referred to licensed professionals.

Liability Disclaimer

Caring First, LLC’s Home Safety Checks are preventative assessments intended to identify common hazards and recommend solutions to enhance safety. While we strive to address risks like falls and fires, these checks are not a comprehensive inspection and do not guarantee the elimination of all potential hazards. For significant home modifications, such as electrical, plumbing, or structural changes, we recommend consulting licensed professionals (e.g., electricians, contractors) to ensure compliance with local codes and safety standards. Caring First, LLC is not liable for injuries or damages resulting from unaddressed hazards or modifications performed by third parties.

Enhancing Safety with Technology and Funding Support

We use technology to streamline our Home Safety Checks, employing digital checklists and our secure family portal to share real-time updates and recommendations with you. Our Care Coordinators guide you through funding options to cover care costs, including safety-related services, ensuring affordability without compromising quality.

Start Your Care and Safety Journey Today

Protect your loved one’s safety and independence with Caring First, LLC’s Home Safety Checks and compassionate non-medical home care in Berks, Chester, Lehigh, Montgomery, Lancaster, Lebanon, or Schuylkill Counties. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, where our dedicated team will assess your loved one’s home, discuss care and safety needs, and create a tailored plan that ensures their well-being. Call now or fill out our online form to experience the Caring First difference—where safety and heartfelt care meet.

If you’re unsure whether now is the right time for in-home care, we can help you evaluate your needs. Contact Caring First at (484) 258-1131 or Contact Us to schedule a free consultation.