Staying Safe at Home

Fire Safety

Fire safety is an important aspect of staying safe in your home. Older people are less likely to keep on top of changing the batteries in the smoke alarms and due to impaired senses, are less likely to detect when a fire is happening.

However, there are many ways to prevent a fire from happening in the home. This includes checking for damaged cords on appliances, not leaving candles unattended and making sure that a smoke alarm is installed with regular changes of the batteries.

Staff at Minster Home Care will ensure that everyone is made aware of potential fire hazards and how to deal with them.

Kitchen Safety

The kitchen is the place in the home where accidents are most likely to happen.

Top tips to stay safe in the kitchen:

• Keep knives and any sharp objects properly stored.
• Use the rear hot plates on the stove.
• Tuck away loose clothing.
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Avoid carrying hot liquids any further than is necessary.
• Keep an emergency contact list on the fridge door.

We are proud of our dedicated team of experts who are on-hand to help. We have a 24/7 carer helpline, so we can support you when you need it the most.

Bathroom Safety

Bathroom safety is of paramount importance for older people. Falls are extremely common in bathrooms, particularly as the floor can be wet and slippery.

Here are a few tips to help to stay safe when visiting the bathroom:

• Use bathmats to prevent slips in the shower and in front of the toilet.
• Install a raised toilet seat with handrails.
• Regulate water temperature, ensuring water never exceeds 44°C.
• Install rails in and around the bath to help with balance.
• Install a shower seat to minimise slips and help with balance.
• Use a waterproof personal alarm to alert someone if in trouble.

Technology

In the modern world, technology is all-important for looking after yourself in the home. At Minster Home Care, the technology we use is vital in ensuring the safety of those in our care, while making sure families are engaged with one another.

Of course, there are times when a carer cannot be around, and we work to find solutions for anything that may occur during this time. Unfortunately, falls are the most common incident to happen at home, which is particularly worsened when you are alone.

Personal alarms can be purchased to ensure someone is alerted when you have had an accident.