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Patient Safety

Keeping Your Home Safe

Each year, nearly 21 million people get injured in their homes. We want you and your family to be safe. Here are some ways to help you prevent injuries at home. Check every room in your house and make any changes that will help.

For more information about home safety, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Red Cross websites.

Prevent Falling

• Keep the floor clean. Clean up spills right away.
• If you have small throw rugs, put rug liners under them, or only use rugs with non-skid backs to keep them from sliding.
• Use a non-slip mat or stick adhesive strips in your tub or shower.
• Keep telephone, computer, and electrical cords out of walkways.
• All stairs and steps need handrails. If you have children, use baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
• Make sure there is plenty of light in all walkways. Use night lights as needed.
• Have a flashlight that works.

Prevent Poisoning

• Make sure children can’t get to any dangerous materials and liquids, like cleaning products or alcohol.
• Keep medicine out of the reach of children.
• Know your local poison control number or call 1-800-222-1222 for the Mississippi Poison Control Center. In case of emergency, call 911.

The Mississippi Poison Control Center is open every day, 24 hours a day, to help people who have been poisoned. They can tell you what steps you need to take based on the kind and amount of poison you have had.

Harmful Thoughts

If you have thoughts about killing yourself, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. They will help you any time day or night and not tell anyone else that you called or what you talked about.

Drug Addiction

If you or someone you love has a drug problem, call the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at (800) 662-4357. They will put you in touch with organizations in your area that can get you the help you need.

Infection Control

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the most important step to prevent the spread of germs and infections is handwashing. You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

Follow these 5 steps every time you wash your hands:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from the beginning to end twice
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them

How to use hand sanitizer:

• Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount)
• Rub your hands together
• Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds