As part of our new exitassured initiative to educate, collaborate and certificate, in February and March we are focusing on the Care Sector and providing special offers.
It is often assumed that a mobility impaired person in a Care Home can be evacuated to a place of safety in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, some of our experiences tell a different story.
Evacuation sheets are common in Care Homes, they are generally the cheapest option but when responsible persons are educated, they realise they may not necessarily be the most appropriate for a variety of reasons:
Thought to be easy to use having seen them on a video but they are not in practice
They are only suitable if the mobility impaired person is in the bed
Beds are often located against a wall so they are difficult to use
Rooms may be small and doorways narrow making it difficult or impossible to manoeuvre
Whilst sold as able to go down stairs if they are not assembly correctly there is a risk of the user sliding out
Staircases may be narrow so they can not be used as the mattress within the evacuation sheet is too bulky.
Not all staff have received practical training
When told evacuation sheets are under all beds they were not
In some cases, it was also found that:
Effective PEEPs are lost in Care Plans
PEEPs located at the main entrance for the Fire Service to use
Lack of understanding of (PHE) Progressive Horizonal Evacuation procedures
Witnessing a Fire Drill all staff evacuated leaving residents inside for the Fire Service to evacuate.
We are aware of the challenges in the Care Sector but the lives of vulnerable people must not be left to chance, responsible persons and families of those in Care Homes must be satisfied that suitable and sufficient provisions are in place to ensure the safe evacuation of mobility impaired persons without depending of the Fire Service.
If you are unsure and would like an independent audit carried out for peace of mind contact us today, our audits cover:
Building Fire Strategy
Fire Risk Assessment
Emergency Procedures
PEEPs/GEEPs
Suitable Equipment
Training
Evacuation Drills
Maintenance
Review and much more.
We are here to assist with all evacuation requirements, email info@exitassured.com or call 0800 980 3473.
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