Fire Safety Contest + Connecticut Home Care Agency = Staff Awards & Client Safety.
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Each month we recognize Connecticut home care employees who “Go above and beyond” to meet and exceed our client’s expectations. We visit each staff member personally, or invite them to our main office in Meriden, to present them with the award and a $100 bonus. This is all part of our Quality Assurance Program, but this time we added a twist – a contest to see which staff could come up with the best fire safety tips for their clients. Here’s how it worked:
Each employee was sent a letter with a few common fire safety tips. We then asked them to plan and execute an escape route for their client and to present 3 new tips to prevent fires in the home. This was quite a challenge for the caregivers but also very rewarding. Their submissions were so good and informative we decided to extend the prizes with 1st place gift of $100, a 2nd place gift of $50, and a gift card was given to everyone who participated.
Congratulations to all the winners! Here are some of the home care fire safety tips submitted by our staff:
- Have fire extinguishers provided for both the kitchen and bedroom areas. (Joyce M.)
- Check stove to be sure it’s turned off after use. Remove and report all faulty appliances. Report all unusual odors ie: natural gas. (Margaret H.)
- Smoke alarms should be checked and change batteries annually. Ash trays should be around for clients that smoke. Always use a proper candle holder and keep candles away from drapes and anything flammable. Do not leave an iron or stove on unattended. Make sure all electrical equipment is unplugged. (Benedicta H.)
- Make sure there are two ways of exiting the home in the event of a fire. Walk and exercise your client regularly to maintain their strength. Never put a cookbook on the stove while cooking. Never use an out-door grill in-doors. (Maureen S.)
- Come up with a fire safety plan for evacuation. Safe guard all combustibles. Have Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Make sure stove knobs are turned completely to the off position when not in use. Make sure electrical outlets are used correctly and use safety guards on outlets not in use. “Keep it safe & simple…KISS” (Nancy G.)
- Be aware of location of fire alarms and fire extinguishers. Never leave your client alone – remove them from danger. Locate all exits and stairways. Never go back into a fire situation to pick up belongings. In the absence of a wheelchair you can move an immobile client by placing them on a comforter or blanket and pull them to safety. Supervise clients that want to cook, always be around them and then be sure they turn the stove completely off. Never leave a car running in the garage – it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. (Francisca A.)
Those are all great tips from our employees! However two of the tips really stood out and were deserving of the Recognition of Excellence Award, so we decided to give a 1st and 2nd place prize. Here are the winners:
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First Place Winner: Employee Recognition award and a Bonus of $100.
Grace Raccio, a homemaker of many years wrote – “Talk to each of your clients about fire safety and what they would do in the event of a fire to get out. Use Life-Line (or other Personal Emergency Response System) for any emergency – not just medical. You can let the local Fire Department know that there is a disabled person, or wheelchair bound person living at a specific address for their records. Have clients give emergency numbers to neighbors. When in a client’s home and about to use their oven for the first time, check carefully that they haven’t used parts of it for storing items.” Great job Grace! Keep up the good work. Also in the photo is: Tonya Dennis (Hourly Scheduling Manager), Sharon D’Aquila (Co-Owner), Lynne Schmidt (Director of Marketing), and Ron D’Aquila (Co-Owner)
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Second Place Winner: Employee Recognition Award and a Bonus of $50, Andy Sarpong, a Live – In Companion, has been with the same client for a long time. He wrote – “Draw up an escape plan for each house you work in. Make sure everyone in the house knows exactly what to do in case of fire. Draw a diagram of each level of the house indicating the evacuation route, location of fire extinguishers and windows and doors. Post arrows pointing to both the primary and secondary escape routes. If a door feels hot, DO NOT open it. Stay low with your client where there is less smoke. Take your client to an open field or neighbor’s house, then call 911. Make sure to check the operational instructions of the fire extinguisher. Another fire prevention idea is that when recharging an electric scooter, be sure to keep away from sparks and open flame that can cause the battery to explode.”
We would like to congratulate and thank all of our caregivers who participated in this contest. You all did a great job keeping your clients’ safety a number one priority![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
