Multiple Sclerosis

This article is from the Pushin' On Newsletter, Vol 12[2], Summer, 1994. 

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How Safe Are You? . . . . .Check Your Safety I.Q.

As a wheelchair user, are you doing everything you can to insure your safety? There are times when you may need to take precautions to make your home and surroundings safe. Answer the following questions YES or NO, then go to the answers and scoring information that follows the questions.

Thanks to Ben Hollis, MSW, LCSW at the VA Medical Center, North Little Rock, AR for information on fire safety.

Home Safety

1. Does your door have a peep-hole at a lower level so you can see out?
2. Is there a flashlight that is in working order in a convenient, accessible place (next to bed or in drawer in kitchen)?
3. Do you have a phone that you can get to quickly and easily?
4. Is there a list of emergency phone numbers at each phone? (doctors, fire department, police department, neighbors, relatives).
5. If you have a ramp at your home, does it have good traction?
6. Are items placed in closets and on shelves within easy reach?
7. Do you have grab bars in bathroom that are properly installed?
8. Do you set the temperature on the hot water heater on the highest setting?
9. Are all hot water pipes located in open areas covered?
10. Do you turn handles of pots & pans toward you when cooking on the stove?

    Fire Safety

11. Are fire extinguishers available?
12. Are smoke detectors installed?
13. Do you have an evacuation plan with two exits?
14. Is a mechanic's creeper available to help you exit when you can't use your wheelchair?
15. Are you registered with your local fire/police departments to let emergency personnel know of your situation?
16. Do you have a baseball bat or heavy item available to break windows if necessary?
17. Is the electrical wiring adequate for all the appliances in your home?
18. Are extension cords draped over flammable materials?
19. Are exit pathways kept clear?

    Traveling - in your neighborhood, state, country, or overseas

20. Are you alert to what is going on around you when in public places?
21. Do you carry your purse or billfold in a pouch on the back of your wheelchair?
22. Is your car equipped for emergencies or breakdowns? (flashlight,"send help" sign, air container to fix flats)
23. Do you have a carphone or a CB?
24. Is there a set of tools and a spare hand control cable in your car?
25. Do you keep important information with you at all times [Doctor's name and phone number, insurance card, and an Autonomic Dysreflexia Medical Alert Card (if level T-6 and higher)].
26. Before leaving on a trip, do you have a checklist to make certain you have packed all your necessary items, like medicine and self-care supplies?
27. Do you ask for assistance when taking packages to your car?

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How Safe Are You? Check your Safety I.Q. score.

After taking the Safety Quiz, compare your answers with those below. How many did you have right?

Home Safety

1. Yes
   Have a way to see outside so you know who is at your door before you open it.
2. Yes
   Keep flashlights where you can easily get to them when the lights go out. Keep one by your bedside. Other suggested places are in the kitchen or carry a small pocket light in your wheelchair pocket. Also, keep a supply of new batteries on hand.
3. Yes
   Have phones located where you can easily reach them. A portable phone can be carried on your chair and go with you throughout the house and in the yard.
4. Yes
   In an emergency you do not have time to look up important phone numbers.You may not remember phone numbers. Keep an up-to-date list by each phone. You can program most phones for 1 number dialing.
5. Yes
   Give your ramp a non-skid surface. For good traction, you can add safety strips. A quick, easy way to roughen the surface is to paint, scatter sand on wet paint, let dry, and repaint.
6. Yes
   Items should not be placed too high or too low. Over-reaching can cause falls from your chair.
7. Yes
   Never use towel racks for grab bars. Be sure bars can support your weight to assist with transfers.
8. No
   Keep the water temperature set on a moderate temperature.
9. Yes
   Avoid burns to legs from pipes under sinks. Insulate pipes under sinks that you can roll under.
10. No
    Always turn handles of pots and pans towards the center of the stove to avoid hot spills.

    Fire Safety

11. Yes
    Be sure fire extinguishers are within your reach at several locations in your home. The fire extinguisher should be a size that you can handle.
12. Yes
    Have smoke detectors at various locations in your home. (outside kitchen, laundry room, outside of bedroom)
13. Yes
    Have two accessible exits from your home. Have family members, caregivers, and co-workers trained in how to assist you in exiting your home and workplace.
14. Yes
    This is an excellent way to escape from a fire. It keeps you close to the floor where there is more oxygen.
15. Yes
    This lets your local fire/police departments know of your needs should an emergency arise.
16. Yes
    If you are unable to open window, a bat or heavy tool would allow you to break out a window.
17. Yes
    Be sure your home is properly wired to handle the amount of power (electricity) that you need.
18. No
    Never run extension cords over flammable materials or under carpets. Avoid placing extension cords where you might run over them with your chair. This weakens the cord.
19. Yes
    Keep all pathways for traffic in home and office clear of equipment or clutter.

    Traveling - in your neighborhood, state, country, or overseas

20. Yes
    Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid dangerous situations.
21. No
    Keep your purse, billfold, and valuables where others cannot reach them. Recommendations are to put valuables between you and your chair back or chain billfold, purse, or keys to your chair.
22. Yes
    Keep emergency equipment within reach in your car. Do not put in the trunk where you cannot get to it.
23. Yes
    A car phone or CB provides immediate access to emergency help.
24. Yes
    A towing service probably will not have a spare hand control cable. When on the road, carry a spare.
25. Yes
    Carry a card in your billfold containing all your vital health information.
26. Yes
    There may be certain supplies and drugs you cannot easily get when away from home. Check everything twice before leaving on a trip.
27. Yes
    Do not hesitate to ask for help if you have any concern for your safety. Ask the carry-out person to remain with you until you are safely in your car.
    

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Scoring

Check your score. 27 correct Excellent - You are practicing good safety habits! 24-26 correct Good - You are reasonably safe but what can you do to improve your safety? 21-23 correct Fair - You need to check your home and habits for ways to increase your safety. 20 or fewer Poor - Look at the items you missed and begin making changes now!

What can you do as a wheelchair user to be safe? Plan ahead for emergencies that could occur. Practice safety at all times.

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c 1994. Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
For permission to reprint for further distribution contact the SCI Web Information Manager.
This publication is supported in part by a grant (#H133B80012) from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Dept of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202. Opinions expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the granting agency.