Transcript Home Visitor Safety

Home Visitor Safety
BE SMART!
Why should I be concerned?
• In a 2004 report issued by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration on
workplace violence, 48% of all non-fatal
violence against all workers in the United
States occurred in the fields of health care
and social services
• 50%-80% of public human service workers have
experienced threats, damaged properties and
physical attacks during their career
Prior to the Visit
• Find out as much as you can about the neighborhood
and the family that you are going to visit prior to going
• Alert someone about where you will be and what time to
expect you back
• Carry only what is necessary to complete the visit. Keep
an ID with you, preferably without your home address
• Wear a name badge, but avoid lanyard style; clip on is
best
• Bring a cell phone if possible
• Think about the clothing you wear; your clothes should
not impede your ability to move around safely and
efficiently. Wear shoes with low heels or no heels.
Arrival
• Upon approaching the home, note exits and
potential dangers (broken stairs, garbage, etc.)
• Park in a well lit area, where the you can see the
entry to the home, avoid the driveway if possible,
if you must park there, back your car in
• Keep alert; don’t use your cell phone or fumble
for items as you approach the home
The risk has gone up, why?
• Affordable mental health services are difficult to
find; those with mental health issues may not be
able to afford care including medication
• Gang related crime is increasing
• Drugs/Drug use are more prevalent
• Staff who are not adequately trained in
recognizing danger signs and in responsive
behaviors are new to home visiting
• Guns, other weapons more prevalent
• Personal stress levels increase as economic
stability decreases
Gangs? In Wisconsin?
• A recent study by the
Department of Justice
indicated the presence of over
100 known gangs in N/E
Wisconsin
• Included counties of: Brown,
Calumet, Winnebago,
Outagamie, Fond du Lac,
Manitowoc, Sheboygan
• The study itself was criticized,
however there was unanimous
agreement that gang activity
exists throughout N/E
Wisconsin
• Drug trafficking was the most
common problem reported
Concerns to Home Visitors in
relation to Gangs
• Gang Members tend to live in high crime
areas
• Drug use is prevalent among gang
members
• Gang retaliation can put home visitors at
risk
Drugs? In Wisconsin?
Drug Paraphernalia
Drug Paraphernalia
Other Drug Concerns-Meth Labs
Common Paraphernalia
Some Common Meth Ingredients
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Alcohol
Gasoline
additives/Rubbing Alcohol
Ether (starting fluid)
Benzene
Paint thinner
Freon
Acetone
Chloroform
Camp stove fuel
Anhydrous ammonia
White gasoline
Pheynl-2-Propane
Phenylacetone
Phenylpropanolamine
Rock, table or Epsom salt
Red Phosphorous
Toluene (found in brake
cleaner)
Red Devil Lye
Drain cleaner
Muraitic acid
Battery acid
Lithium from batteries
Sodium metal
Ephedrine
Cold tablets
Diet aids
Iodine
Bronchodialators
Energy boosters
Iodine crystals
Red Flags Related to Meth Labs
• Strange odors resembling urine or the smell of
acetone, ether or ammonia
• Extra efforts to cover windows or to reinforce
doors.
• Trash not put out for collection.
• Large amount of items, i.e. cooking dishes,
coffee filters, bottles, that do not appear for
regular household use.
• Presence of unusual quantities of chemicals.
• Vehicles loaded with laboratory materials or
chemicals.
Do not enter home with evidence of
meth lab materials or chemicals on
property.
• If you enter and see evidence of a meth lab:
• DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE IN OR NEAR THE
HOME
• Discreetly but immediately leave
• Drive to a safe location; contact local law enforcement
If you are exposed:
• Cover your car seats and floorboards with plastic covering. Clean
hands with disinfectant wipes before touching the steering wheel.
• Go to safe location to change clothes. Place dirty
clothes in a plastic trash bag. Clean all exposed skin surfaces with
soap & water.
• Wash any items carried into the home with soap/water.
• Don’t touch any surface until skin and items are clean.
Exposure Signs
Watery eyes
Discharge from the eye
Eye pain, including burning
Skin irritation and redness
Mild to severe burns
Sneezing and coughing
Congestion of the voice
box
Chest pain
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Moderate to severe
headache
Rapid heart rate
Dark colored urine
Fever
Decrease in mental
status
Yellow jaundice
Hallucinations
Extreme irritability
Severe neglect
Difficult and labored
breathing; shortness of
breath
Signs of Crack/Cocaine Use
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Baking Soda
Brillo pad remnants
Matches
Glass pipes
Simple items like coke cans, spoons, light
bulbs and straws found in odd places
around the home could signal drug abuse
Physical/Emotional Signs of Crack
Use
• physical signs of crack addiction include:
dilated pupils, sweating, weight loss,
frequent upper respiratory infections, fits of
coughing, coughing up black mucous,
muscle tremors, and severe headaches
• Emotional signs include: dramatic mood
changes, insomnia, loss of interest in
usual activities
Use a Buddy System
(from Headstart)
• — The family has a history of physical assaults
or threats of violence, a criminal conviction
involving the use of a weapon, or a disorderly
persons offense;
• — There are reports of any form of family
violence (e.g., child abuse, spouse abuse), and
the alleged abuser lives in or close to the home;
• — A visit is to be made in a known drug-use
location and/or a high-crime neighborhood; and
• — The family has recently experienced the
involuntary removal of a child from the home.
Be prepared
• Trust yourself
• Go into the home with a pre-planned excuse to leave if it
should be necessary
• Don’t try to get in the middle or mediate an escalating
situation, unless you are trained to do so and there for
that purpose
• Know the address of the home where you are, have it
displayed in front of you if necessary. Make sure you
are aware of what county you are in.
• Report any dangerous activity to your supervisor
immediately.
Don’t enter the home when. . .
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a. Questionable persons are present
b. Parent/others are intoxicated
c. Violence is in progress
d. There is no quick escape
e. Vicious animals are present
Useful Items to have Available
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􀂄 Cell phone and charger
􀂄 Emergency #s and contact information
􀂄 Small amount of money & change
􀂄 Plastic trash bags
􀂄 Disinfectant wipes and hand cleaner
􀂄 Latex gloves
􀂄 First aid kit
􀂄 Other items that you may need?
Home Visitation Leadership Advisory Coalition
Firearms
If you see firearms, assume there could be danger to
you or others in the home
• If you know there are guns in the home but are not in view, ask
where the guns are kept.
• If there is an escalating situation where firearms could be used,
leave and follow General Safety Guidelines.
• If no danger, but firearms and ammunition are unlocked in the home:
-Talk to parents about safe storage
-Encourage parents to educate children about gun safety on a
regular basis.
Visitation Leadership
Advisory Coalition
Be Smart, Be Safe
You are the key to your own personal safety!