This simple yet informative powerpoint was designed for an audience of people who are putting themselves at risk to care for others through home visits (nurses, school counselors, social workers, Department of Family and Children Services, etc). Safety information involving home visits where drug use is evident, domestic violence is taking place, an aggressive dog is present are included in this powerpoint presentation. Hope you enjoy! Be safe!

1. Home Visit Safety
By
Zina Ponsell

2. PURPOSE

3. To promote
personal safety
while working with
families in their
homes.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. RESTROOM
• Use the restroom prior to going to your home
visit.
• Gas station
• Restaurant
• Community Center
• Other

13. NEVER EVER USE A
RESTROOM IN THE
RESIDENCE OF THE
PERSON(S) HOME YOU
ARE VISITING!!!!!

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. UNEASY FEELING
CONTINUED
• 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.

19. UNEASY FEELING
CONTINUED
• Discuss uneasy feeling with your supervisor
and team members.
• Never discuss domestic violence activity
while the perpetrator is in the house!!!

20. KNOWINLY RISKY
HOME 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.

21. 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.

22. POSSIBLY ON CHEMICALS
In circumstances that are risky due to chemical/drug
use 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.

23. 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!

24. 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.

25. TAKE CARE OF
YOU
BE SAFE!

26. References:
Home Visit Safety Procedures:
The Economic Opportunity Program, Inc.
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hugh_Pelmore