Home Visit Safety

Home Visit Safety

By

Zina Ponsell

PURPOSE

To promote personal safety

while working with families in their

homes.

HOME VISITORS NEED TO BE ALERT TO

PERSONAL SAFETY

•It is likely that you will go into some unfamiliar or risky neighborhoods.

•You may be entering homes in which not all family members welcome your visit.

•You may be alone with families much of the time.

PRACTICAL STEPS TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY

• Inquire with other professionals about the history of the family you are going to visit (drugs, domestic violence, etc.)

• Sign-in/sign-out at the office.

• Prior to leaving office for a home visit, enter the visit address and your expected time of return.

PRACTICAL STEPS CONTINUED

• If your going to be 15 minutes past the documented expected return, call the office and notify a designated staff member. The staff member should document the new expected time of return on the log.

• Upon returning to the office BE SURE to sign in and let other staff know you are back.

POSSIBLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR DRUG USE

• Take precautions when conducting home visits in a family’s home where there is known domestic violence and/or drug/alcohol concerns. In these circumstances, visits may be conducted in a safe public place such as a school, library or an agency office.

PARKING YOUR CAR

• Park your car so you can head out easily and quickly if necessary.

• Park on a street when possible so you cannot get blocked in.

• Back into a driveway instead of planning to back out at the end of your visit.

PARKING YOUR CAR CONTINUED

• Lock your car door before going into a home visit (very important step especially if you have confidential records in your car).

• If you feel embarrassed about locking your car door thinking it sends a message of distrust, you can mention that it is agency policy.

IDENTIFICATION BADGE

• Present your employee identification badge during home/school visits.

• For confidentiality reasons, turn your ID badge around or take it off to protect the family when you are meeting with them in a public place.

CARRY IN ONLY WHAT YOU NEED

• Leave your credit cards, checkbook and other personal valuables at home or locked in your car.

• Do not carry a large ‘bunch’ of keys from your office or home with you. Put a single car key on a key ring or chain and keep it in your pocket, easily accessible if you need to

leave quickly.

• Keep your car in good repair with a full tank of gas.

RESTROOM• Use the restroom prior to going to your home

visit.

• Gas station

• Restaurant

• Community Center

• Other

NEVER EVER USE A RESTROOM IN THE RESIDENCE OF THE

PERSON(S) HOME YOU ARE VISITING!!!!!

FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS

• If a situation feels wrong, then it probably is.

• Request the visit be rescheduled or moved to another location.

• Always discuss any concerns with your immediate supervisor.

• Request the supervisor or other staff member attend the next scheduled visit.

SURROUNDINGS

• Survey the surroundings

• If you have to enter through a gate, take note to which direction the gate swings in the event you need to make a quick exit from the residence.

• Notice any Alcohol/Drug use items: beer cans, pipes, bags, cat urine smell or other odors, burners, etc.

• Observe for weapons: guns, knives, baseball bats, etc.

SURROUNDINGS CONTINUED

• Stand at the door and listen before knocking.

• After you knock on the door, stand back from the door at an angle and to the door knob side.

• When entering the home take note of where the exits are and other people present.

UNEASY FEELING AS YOU ENTER THE HOME

• Inform the family you are required to check in at the office as part of the organization’s safety protocols (bluff about protocols if needed for your safety).

• Possible Domestic Violence????

• Sit between the door and the family so you can exit quickly if you need to.

UNEASY FEELINGCONTINUED

• If you need to leave quickly, ask the family member you trust most to walk with you to your car to get something you want to give him/her (it could be just a brochure from your agency).

• If needed look at your watch and say you have to go now, even if your in the middle of an activity.

• ALWAYS have an excuse ready to avoid triggering a family’s anger or making it worse.

UNEASY FEELING CONTINUED

• Discuss uneasy feeling with your supervisor and team members.

• Never discuss domestic violence activity while the perpetrator is in the house!!!

KNOWINLY RISKYHOME VISITS

• In known cases of risk, always consult with your supervisor prior to a home visit.

• A decision may be made for accompaniment to the visit.

• Check in with your office by phone after potentially risky visits.

ANIMALS

• When scheduling your visit, ask if there are any pets at the residence. If there are, find out if they are inside or outside pets so you will be better prepared.

• Prior to entering the property make some sort of noise (clear your throat, cough, stomp feet, rattle keys, etc.). Most dogs will begin barking alerting you to their presence.

• Do not approach animals you do not know.

• Aggressive animals should be put into a separate room. Request this if the family does not offer.

POSSIBLY ON CHEMICALSIn circumstances that are risky due to chemical/druguse or any other serious condition:

• Talk slowly, directly and continuously in a non-threatening manner.

• Stand still with eye contact (however do not communicate aggression by staring).

• Keep distance 7-10 feet.

• Keep your hands in front of you in view of the person whom you suspect may be abusing chemicals/drugs.

• Slowly walk out maintaining eye contact until you get out safely.

GO WITH YOUR GUT

• If you have a ‘funny feeling’ when you are approaching a family’s home, stop and listen.

• Too often people ignore these warnings because they are supposed to be at a certain place at a certain time and they just keep going.

• Pay Attention!

PUT YOUR OWN SAFETY FIRST…

• …even if it means canceling an appointment for ‘no good reason’.

• Reschedule at a time when you can take someone with you.

• If you are visiting a home you have previously visited and felt unsafe, request the visit be at your office or a location where you feel safe.

TAKE CARE OF YOU

BE SAFE!

References:

Home Visit Safety Procedures:The Economic Opportunity Program, Inc.

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