Institute for Continuing Education

Home Care Safety

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify the primary causes of residential fires and describe the conditions required for combustion.
• Differentiate among the classes of fire extinguishers (A, B, C, D, and K) and select the appropriate type for home use.
• Demonstrate correct use of a portable fire extinguisher using the PASS technique.
• Develop and communicate a comprehensive home fire emergency plan, including escape routes, meeting points, and emergency contact information.
• Describe appropriate responses to specific fire emergencies, including smoke-filled rooms and clothing ignition (Stop, Drop, and Roll).
• Recognize home fire hazards related to electrical systems, heating equipment, smoking materials, space heaters, and kitchen activities.
• Evaluate bedroom, bathroom, general indoor, and outdoor environments for safety hazards and recommend evidence-based modifications.
• Explain the physiological effects of scalding and identify safe hot water temperature settings for the home.
• Define carbon monoxide, describe sources and mechanisms of poisoning, and outline prevention and response strategies.
• Implement home security, street safety, vehicle safety, telephone safety, and elevator safety practices, with attention to the unique needs of older adults.
• Apply food safety principles during food selection, storage, preparation, cooking, and power failures to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
• Identify populations at elevated risk for foodborne illness and recognize the signs, symptoms, and appropriate response to suspected food poisoning.
• Assess the need for kitchen assistance among ill or elderly patients and recommend appropriate community and professional resources.
• Integrate home safety assessment into allied health practice, teaching, and patient education across diverse home care settings.

Course Information

The medical community universally recognizes long-term home oxygen as essential therapy for hypoxemic, chronic lung disease patients. Important scientific studies prove that chronically hypoxemic persons live longer when they receive oxygen continuously at home. In addition, most individuals with chronic lung disease gain even more when their home oxygen is portable.

Pulmonary rehabilitation experts tell us that patients are healthier and enjoy life more when they are active, mobile, and participating in daily activities. For patients needing oxygen, portable systems combine the proven benefits of continuous oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation: they live longer, require fewer hospitalizations, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Most patients with portable systems also need a stationary oxygen source. They use the stationary source for most of the day, during sleep and wakeful rest. Some stationary systems can be moved with relative ease from room to room. Patients will then switch to portable oxygen for mobility when exercising, shopping, going to work, and even when traveling.