Transcript PERSONAL SAFETY

Sally Torres MSW LMSW
JoAnne Vincent MSN RN CPNP
HOME VISITING SAFETY
THE IMPACT
 From 2004- 2006 at least five home visitors (SW)
murdered across the country
 Today, home visiting is less safe than even ten years
ago
 Lack of education regarding home visiting safety, yet
home visiting has been a mainstay of service delivery
for social workers, teachers, nurses, and others for
many years
THE BENEFITS OF HOME
VISITING
 See client in living environment
 Tailor services
 Reach families not in system
 Cultivate special relationship
SAFETY:
Even the Pros Need
Reminders
THREE BASIC RULES
 DO stay alert
 Keep your mind on your surroundings, who’s in front of
you and who is behind you. Don’t get distracted.
 DO communicate the message that you are calm,
confident, and know where you are going.
 Stand tall, walk purposefully, and make quick eye contact
with people around you.
 DO trust your instincts!
 If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, LEAVE
THREE ELEMENTS OF A CRIME
 DESIRE: The desire of a criminal to commit a crime. We as citizens can not affect this
desire from the criminal.
 ABILITY: The criminals ability to commit a crime. We as citizens can impair the
criminals ability by practicing good crime prevention methods.
 OPPORTUNITY:
The criminal’s opportunity to commit a crime is where we have the
biggest opportunity to impact the event. We can take away the opportunity for the crime – thus
preventing us from becoming a victim.
SELF DEFENSE
 Use your voice first, last, and during conflict
 Decide ahead of time whether to fight or FLEE
 Fighting back
 Control breathing : Don’t hold your breath
 Targets: Knees, groin, sternum, throat, eyes
 Your weapons: Fists, elbows, feet, knees, teeth, head
PREPARING FOR HOME VISITS
CAR PREPARATION
 Gas/well maintained
 Hand sanitizer/first aid kit
 Emergency roadside assistance numbers
 Jumper cables, spare tire, shovel, blanket, extra food,
water, and clothing
 Maps and/or GPS system
 Know public transportation options
 Plan for the weather
PREPARATION FOR HOME VISIT
 Conduct a “Risk Assessment”
 Review available files and histories
 Identify high risk potential
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History of violence
History of mental illness
Suicide attempts
Any incidents involving firearms or weapons
History of substance abuse
Extreme political or religious views
PREPARATION FOR HOME VISIT
(cont’d)
 Conduct a reconnaissance drive-by
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Neighborhood & neighbors
Parking
Front porch and door
Cars and foot traffic
Dogs
Signs, bumper stickers
Blackened-out windows
PREPARATION FOR HOME VISIT
(cont’d)
 Revise your risk assessment after driveby
 Develop your plan
 High risk
 Meet at neutral location
 Medium Risk
 Buddy system
 Daylight visit
 Low Risk – is it??
PREPARATION FOR HOME VISIT
(cont’d)
 Develop an Itinerary
 Let a co-worker or someone else know when you are
leaving and when you expect to be back, and
destinations
 Set code word (SOS) with co-worker or someone else
 Keep addresses and phone numbers of homes to visit
in a location that co-workers or someone else can get
to if needed
 Co-worker or someone else should know make,
model, license number of your vehicle
PREPARATION FOR HOME VISIT
(cont’d)
 Clothing and Equipment
 Shoes with protective soles and toes
 Loose fitting clothing
 Nothing around the neck that can be used to grab
hold of you
 Avoid jewelry and valuables
 Charged cell phone
 Loud whistle
ARRIVING AT THE HOME
ARRIVING AT THE HOME
 “Combat Park”
 Close by but not directly in front of the home or in
driveway
 Leave room to make quick getaway
 Enough to pull straight out / not enough for someone to park in
front of you
 Lock vehicle and set alarm
 Put valuables in trunk before arriving
 Look, Listen and Smell as you approach
 Any changes since your reconnaissance?
ARRIVING AT THE HOME (cont’d)
 Call from car to announce your arrival
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Leave if you feel in danger
 Trust your instincts!!!
 Use door as a shield
 Stand on door handle side at 45 degree angle
 Avoid standing in front of windows
ARRIVING AT THE HOME (cont’d)
 Knock loudly and identify yourself
 If in doubt about activities inside, ask the person to
come onto the porch
 If no answer – go back to car and call on phone if
necessary
 DOGS:
 Block outer/screen door with your foot
 Ask owner to put ANY pets away before entering
 Don’t look dog straight in the eyes
IN THE HOME
IN THE HOME
 Establish rapport
 Include other family members if appropriate
 Review visit purpose and anticipated length of
visit
 Minimize distractions
IN THE HOME
 When entering building or home, follow- do not lead
 Determine who else is in the home
 Take note of your surroundings (left to right/top to
bottom)
 Hold visit in central location (kitchen, living room or
dining room)
 Sit near door with back to wall
 Identify escape routes
 Sit on furniture edge, do not lean back
IN THE HOME
 Be respectful of a person’s personal space
 Use discretion if accepting food, drinks, gifts
 Don’t turn your back – most vulnerable position
 Be confident
IN THE HOME
 When can you leave?
 If you feel threatened
 If you are asked to leave
 When you recognize potentially dangerous
situations
 TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!!!
MEETING AT A NEUTRAL SITE
 How to have a private meeting in a public place
 You choose the site
 Neither you or other party should be regulars
 Meet in between normal meal hours 10a-2p
 Place should have two exits
 You choose the seating
 Nobody within earshot
 View of whole room – especially exits
 “We are having a private business lunch, may we sit over there”
 You get there first
 Do drive-by
 Check safety inside and out
 Talk quietly and change the discussion if you have to
FOLLOWING THE HOME VISIT
 Report in after leaving
 If feeling threatened, proceed to nearest police
or fire station
 Debrief urgent concerns
 Document visit
OUT OF CONTROL BEHAVIOR
 Don’t argue or try to reason
 Let it be known that you are not a threat
 Break eye contact – but don’t turn your back
 Hold your hands-up (surrender/non aggressive sign)
 Nod your head in agreement
 Yield all possible space
 GET OUT OF THERE!!!
 Back away at an angle
ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
 Orientation and safety training
 Develop policies regarding home visiting
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Refusing visits
Cancelling visits (weather, current events)
Abandoning visits (weather, pets, staff abuse)
Supplies and equipment
Code word or phrase for staff SOS call
Plan if home visitor doesn’t call/return
Post trauma support
Termination of visits
 Yearly safety education
BE SAFE!!!
We would like to acknowledge
Charlie Dickson and all of the
officers at Children’s Hospital of
Michigan and the Detroit Medical
Center for keeping us safe...
REFERENCES
 Allen, S.F. & Tracy, E.M. (2008). Developing student knowledge and
skills for home-based social work practice. Journal of Social Work
Education. 44:1. 125-143.
 Denard Goldman, K. & Jahn Schmalz, K. (2008). The “Home Ranger”
rides again! Making home visits safer and more effective. Health
Promotion Practice. 9:4. 323-327.
 Every, M. (2002). Safe community working. Royal College of Midwives
Journal. 5:6. 194.
 Homecare Education Management. (1996). American Health
Consultants: Atlanta ,GA. 5-7.
REFERENCES
 Jodway, V. (2004). Knock before you enter. Home Healthcare Nurse.
22:6. 427-428.
 Kendra, M. A., Weiker, A., Simon, S., Grant, A., & Shullick, D. (1996).
Safety concerns affecting delivery of home health care. Public Health
Nursing. 13:2. 83-89.
 McPhaul, K. (2004). Home Care Security. American Journal of
Nursing. 104:9. 96.
 O’Boyle, M.E. (1995). Preparing for a safer home health care visit.
Home Health Care Management Practice. 8:1. 34-43.

OSHA. (2008). Home Visitor Safety: Taking Charge of Your Personal
Safety.