Chapter 29 Home Hygiene, Safety and First Aid

Chapter 29 Home Hygiene, Safety and First Aid

Home hygiene Cleaning agents Detergents Abrasives Multi-purpose cleaners Window cleaners Polish Metal polishes Bleach Disinfectants Alternative cleaning agents Fire drill Fire extinguisher Fire blanket Smoke detector First aid First aid kit Resuscitation Burn Scald Shock 2

After completing this chapter and the homework, assignments and activities that accompany it, you should: Understand why home hygiene is important and know how to keep your home hygienic. Be able to list and give examples of the following range of cleaning agents and understand what each is used for: water, detergents, abrasives, multi-purpose cleaners, window cleaners, polish, metal polishes, bleaches, disinfectants and alternative products such as vinegar, bread soda, lemon juice and cola. Know what the most common causes of accidents in the home are. Be able to describe how the following types of accidents can best be avoided: electrical, fire, falls, choking and suffocation, scalds, poisoning and drowning. Be able to describe the three main aims of first aid. Know how to react in case of a serious accident, including how to resuscitate a patient. Know what items should be included in a basic first aid kit. Know what basic first aid treatments should be administered for the following: burns and scalds, bleeding, choking, shock and poisoning. 3 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

General guidelines for good hygienein the home Ensure there is good ventilation – bacteria love stuffy, damp conditions. Keep the house warm and dry. Open curtains and windows daily – sunlight and fresh air help destroy bacteria. Hygiene in the kitchen and bathroom is most important 4 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

General guidelines for good hygiene in the home (continued) Kitchens and bathrooms should have smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces such as tiles. Empty kitchen bins daily and the large dustbin weekly. Wash and disinfect them regularly. Keep toilets and sinks spotless. Disinfect once a week. Carpets and floors should be vacuumed or washed at least once a week – more often if necessary. Bed sheets and pillowcases should be washed at as high a temperature as the fabric will allow and changed weekly. 5 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Cleaning agents Nowadays there is a huge number of different cleaning agents on the market. Many are poisonous, so: Only store them in their original containers – dangerous products will often have a childproof container. Keep out of the reach of children (do not store under the sink). Store in a dry place. Follow directions carefully. Wear gloves and protective clothing while using. Rinse away all traces of the cleaning agent after use. 6 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Cleaning agents (continued) • 1. Water • Uses: Warm (washing), cold (soaking). • 2. Detergents • Examples: Washing powder, soap, washing-up liquid, dishwasher powder. • Uses: Washing clothes and dishes. • 3. Abrasives • Examples: Cream cleaners (e.g. Cif), Brillo pads. • Uses: Stubborn stains on scratch-resistant surfaces, e.g. ceramic bathroom sinks, metal saucepans (not non-stick). 7 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Cleaning agents (continued) • 4. Multipurpose cleaners • Examples: Cillit Bang, Flash liquid. • Uses: Used on most work surfaces and floors. • 5. Window cleaners • Examples: Windolene. • Uses: Cleans windows without streaking. • 6. Polish • Examples: Pledge, Mr Sheen (sprays), solid wax. • Uses: Polishing furniture. 8 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Cleaning agents (continued) • 7. Metal polishes • Examples: Brasso, Silvo, silver cloths. • Uses: Polishing metal – brass and silver. • 8. Bleaches • Examples: Parazone, Domestos. • Uses: Kill germs, remove stains. • Note: Do not use bleaches and toilet cleaners, e.g. Harpic, together, as a poisonous gas is given off when they are mixed. • 9. Disinfectants • Examples: Dettol, Savlon. • Uses: Kill germs. 9

Cleaning agents (continued) • 10. Alternative products • White vinegar: Removes lime scale from around taps, cleans windows. • Bread soda (with water): Cleaning fridges and toilets. • Lemon juice: Removes blood and grass stains and bleaches whites. • Cola and denture tablets: Both (separately) remove stains from toilets (leave overnight). 10

Safety and first aid • Causes of accidents in the home: • Carelessness or curiosity (children especially) • Badly designed homes, e.g. hidden steps, poor lighting • Faulty equipment • Incorrect storage of dangerous substances 11

Accident prevention • Electricity • Electricity and water do not mix – never touch anything electrical with wet hands. • Wire electrical appliances correctly with the correct size of fuse. • Check for safety symbols on appliances. • Never take anything electrical, such as a heater or hairdryer, into the bathroom. • Never overload sockets or repair flexes with tape. • Fit childproof covers on electric sockets. 12

Accident prevention (continued) • Fire • Never leave matches or cigarette lighters where children can get them. • Fit a full fireguard. • Do not hang a mirror over the fireplace. (Why?) • Use an electric deep-fat fryer, not a chip pan. • Stub cigarettes out completely and never smoke in bed. • Check that nightwear is fire-resistant (especially children’s). • Unplug electrical appliances before going to bed. • Close doors at night – this stops a fire from spreading. • Have an exit plan and make sure everyone knows how best to get out of the house in the event of a fire. 13 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Fire safety equipment • Fire extinguisher: Aim at the base of the fire. • Fire blanket: Keep in the kitchen. Throw over a small fire to smother it. • Smoke alarm: Check the battery on the same day each week. 14 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Fire drill Few people realise how quickly a house fire spreads until they witness one. Fire drills are therefore vital so that all occupants know what to do in the event of fire. 15 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Small fire Use a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket to put out the fire. Never put water on burning oil or an electrical appliance. If a chip pan catches on fire, do not bring it outside – the oxygen will feed the fire. Try to put the lid on to smother the flames. Call the fire brigade if necessary. 16 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Large fire Get out, following your exit plan. Crawl along the floor, as there is more oxygen low down. Call the fire brigade. Do not re-enter the house. 17 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

How to prevent falls • Have a light switch at the top and the bottom of stairs. Make sure the carpet is not loose. Never leave objects, such as toys, on the stairs. • Avoid frayed carpets and over-polished floors. • Have grips on the sides of baths and showers. The bottom of the shower or bath should have a non-slip surface (especially for elderly people). • Be careful on newly washed floors. Wipe up spills immediately. 18 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Children and accidents • Accidents are the biggest cause of injury and death of children in this country. • Each year, approximately one in five children has an accident at home that is serious enough to need treatment by a doctor or in hospital. • All children have accidents, no matter how safe the home or how careful the parents. Nevertheless, parents can reduce the risk of accidents by taking the following precautions: • Neverleave a young child unsupervised in the house. • Only buy equipment and toys with safety symbols attached. 19 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Accident Prevention Choking and suffocation • Keep plastic bags and small, hard objects out of reach of children. • Never leave a baby or a young child alone while feeding. • Be careful with curtain cords, etc. 20 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Scalds • Have a short safety flex on kettles. • Do not use tablecloths. • Keep hot drinks away from the edges of tables. • Never drink tea or coffee with a child in your lap. • Turn saucepan handles inwards on the hob. • Put cold water into the bath first. 21 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Falls • Fit window locks. • Fit stair gates. • Do not allow children onto balconies alone. • Strap babies into buggies and high chairs. 22 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Poisoning • Keep medicines locked away. • Medicines should be stored in childproof containers. • Lock other dangerous substances away, e.g. alcohol, bleach, weed killer, rat poison. 23 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Burns • Fit a fire guard. • Never leave matches, lighters or petrol within reach of children. • Be careful using an iron. Do not allow the flex to dangle. • Make sure nightwear is flame-resistant. 24 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Drowning • Never leave a child alone in the bath or anywhere there is water. 25 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

First aid • The aims of first aid are: • To preserve life • To prevent the condition getting worse • To promoterecovery 26 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

A serious accident Do not move the patient unless absolutely necessary. Check for a pulse (inside of wrist or under earlobe). If patient is not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Do not give the patient anything to eat or drink (they may need to fast for an anaesthetic later). Ring 999 and give clear directions to the accident scene. 27 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

ABCs of resuscitation B is for BREATHING If the casualty is not breathing, breathe for them. Cover their mouth with yours and blow air into their lungs. C is for CIRCULATION If the heart stops (no pulse), you can apply chest compressions. Two breaths – fifteen compressions, two breaths – fifteen compressions, and so on. A is for AIRWAY Tilt the casualty’s head back and lift the chin. This will open the airway. 28 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Why not do a basic first aid course? Contact The Irish Red Cross Society: 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Telephone: (01) 676 5135 www.redcross.ie E-mail: redcross@iol.ie. They will put you in touch with your local branch. 29 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

First aid kit Every home should have a well-stocked first aid kit. It should contain the following items. 30 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Basic first aid treatments Minor burns and scalds Stop the burning – pour cold water on the burn for 10 minutes. Gently remove clothing, rings, watches, belts, etc. before the area swells. Do not do this if clothing is stuck to the burn. Reduce the risk of infection – cover with a clean, non-fluffy dressing or cling film. Do not put any creams on the burn. 31 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Basic first aid treatments (continued) Major (serious) burns and scalds Put out the fire by wrapping the victim in a blanket or coat or by rolling them on the ground. Call an ambulance. Pour cold water on the burn. Resuscitate if necessary. Do not remove any clothing stuck to the burn. Gently remove rings, watches, etc. before the area begins to swell. 32 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

First aid for burns and scalds video link Watch Burns – First Aid on YouTube, uploaded by ProCPR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2mY1h0BdTw 33 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Basic first aid treatments (continued) Bleeding Try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with your fingers for 10 minutes. If there is glass or something else in the wound, press on either side of it. If it is a limb, raise it up to help stop the bleeding. Wrap in a bandage. Call an ambulance if bleeding is severe. 34 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

First aid – bleedingvideo link Watch First Aid – Dealing with Bleeding on YouTube, uploaded by BritishRedCross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXtFqFxR-Do 35 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Basic first aid treatments (continued) • Choking • A child: Place face down on your lap with the head lower than body. Slap sharply between the shoulder blades. • An adult: Slap sharply between the shoulder blades. If this does not work, try the Heimlich manoeuvre (see the photo). 36 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Choking baby video link Watch First Aid – Choking Baby – British Red Cross on YouTube, uploaded by Bernadette Bos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4uS5EmpeEs 37 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Basic first aid treatments (continued) Shock Shock in this sense does not mean emotional shock. Physical shock usually occurs when there has been a heart attack, a severe loss of blood or a loss of body fluids through severe diarrhoea or vomiting. Symptoms Pale, clammy skin, rapid, shallow breathing, sweating but cold, nausea, thirst, weak pulse, dizziness and fainting. Treatment Treat the cause of shock, e.g. bleeding. Lay the patient down with legs raised. Loosen clothing. Cover with a coat or blanket. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. 38 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Basic first aid treatments (continued) Poisoning Approximately 170 people die each year in Ireland from poisoning. Call an ambulance or take the patient immediately to casualty. Find out what the patient has taken and bring the container to the hospital. Do not try to make the patient vomit. Resuscitate if necessary – put in the recovery position (see the photo). The recovery position is the safest position for the casualty 39 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Why is good home hygiene important? Outline six general guidelines for good hygiene in the home. What six points should be remembered while using and storing cleaning agents safely? What cleaning agents would you use for the following? Cleaning the bath Cleaning a tiled kitchen floor Removing limescale from around taps Cleaning the fridge Cleaning a stained toilet 40 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

What are the four main causes of accidents in the home? Outline five general guidelines for preventing electrical accidents in the home. Outline six of the ways fire can be prevented in the home. Name three pieces of fire safety equipment that should be found in the home. What is a household fire drill? Why is it necessary in the home? How would you deal with a small fire in the home? How should you deal with a large house fire? Suggest four ways falls may be prevented in the home. 41 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

How can individuals help prevent the following household accidents? Choking and suffocation Scalds Poisoning Burns Drowning What are the three aims of first aid? What should you do and not do if you come across a serious accident? Describe what is involved in the ABCs of resuscitation. Name six items that should be in a first aid box. 42 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

What should you administer for first aid for the following? A minor burn or scald A major burn or scald Bleeding Choking (child and adult) What are the symptoms of shock? How should shock be treated? What should you do if you suspect someone has been poisoned? 43 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Assignment 46 Now test yourself at www.eTest.ie. 44 Essentials for Living, 3rd Edition

Chapter 29 Home Hygiene, Safety and First Aid