Saftey Precautions

[rocking4epilepsy]

I thought this thread was well worth posting.
We need to make sure all family and friends are aware of first aid and safety issue.

First Aid in Special Circumstances

A Seizure in Water

If a seizure occurs in water, the person should be supported in the water with the head tilted so his face and head stay above the surface. He or she should be removed from the water as quickly as possible with the head in this position. Once on dry land, he should be examined and, if he is not breathing, artificial respiration should be begun at once. Anyone who has a seizure in water should be taken to an emergency room for a careful medical checkup, even if he or she appears to be fully recovered afterwards. Heart or lung damage from ingestion of water is a possible hazard in such cases.

A Seizure in an Airplane

If the plane is not filled, and if the seat arms can be folded up, passengers to the left and/or right of the affected person may be reassigned to other seats, so that the person having the seizure can be helped to lie across two or more seats with head and body turned on one side.
Once consciousness has fully returned, the person can be helped into a resting position in a single reclining seat.
If there are no empty seats, the seat in which the person is sitting can be reclined, and, once the rigidity phase has passed, he can be turned gently while in the seat so that he is leaning towards one side.
Pillows or blankets can be arranged so that the head doesn't hit unpadded areas of the plane. However, care should be taken that the angle at which the person is sitting is such that his airway stays clear and breathing is unobstructed.

A Seizure on a Bus

Ease the person across a double or triple seat. Turn him on his side, and follow the same steps as indicated above. If he wishes to do so, there is no reason why a person who has fully recovered from a seizure cannot stay on the bus until he arrives at his destination.

First Aid

The key things to remember.

Keep calm and reassure other people who may be nearby.
Do NOT hold the person down or try to stop his/her movement.

Time the seizure.

Clear the area aroundthe person of any sharp or hard objects.

Loosen ties or anything around the neckthat may make breathing diffficult.

Put something soft and flat under the head.

Turn him/her gently onto one side. This is to help keep the airways clear.

Do NOT try to force mouth open with any hard imlement or fingers. It is NOT true that a person having a seizure can swallon the tongue.

Stay with the person until seizure stops naturally.

Be friendly and reassuring as consciousness returns.

Offer to call taxi,friend or family member to assist the person home.

If seizure last more than 5 minutes call 911.

Lets all stay safe

[rocking4epilepsy]

Creating a Safe Home Environment for Seizures

Creating a Safe Home Environment for Seizures

The risk that a person with epilepsy will be injured during a seizure at home can be greatly reduced by taking some simple safety precautions:

Carpet the floors with heavy pile and thick underpadding.

If tables and other furniture have sharp corners, pad them.

When shopping for new furniture, look for rounded corners.
Close fireplace screens when the fire is burning.

Don't leave a person with uncontrolled seizures alone in a room with a burning fire.

Avoid using space heaters that can tip over.

If the person with epilepsy wants to iron clothing or use a curling iron, be sure that the device has an automatic shut-off switch to prevent burns.

Use chairs with arms to help prevent falling.

In the bathroom

Hang doors so they open outwards instead of inwards. Then if the person falls against the door, it can still be opened.

Use carpeting on the floor, with extra padding.

Routinely check that the drain works properly before the person takes a bath or shower.

If the person falls frequently, consider using a shower or tub seat with a safety strap.

Keep water levels in the tub low.

Set the temperature of the water heater low (120 degrees F [48.9C]) so that it won't scald a person who loses consciousness.

The person with epilepsy should not use any electrical appliances in the bathroom or near water.

In the kitchen

Cook with a microwave oven.

When using the stove, try to use the back burners.
Use plastic containers, plates, and drinking cups whenever possible.

Use cups with lids (commuter cups) to prevent burns from spills.

If the person with epilepsy needs to move containers of hot food or liquids, it is safer to slide them along the counter or use a cart to move them to another room.

It is safer for the person to wear rubber gloves when handling knives or washing dishes and glassware in the sink.

#1 Staying safe

[rocking4epilepsy]

Safety and seizures in childhood: The human side

www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1064603283.html

This site is worth reading, great info

Hugs

[rocking4epilepsy]

Water Safety for Children with Epilepsy or Seizures

Children and teens with epilepsy or seizures have a greater risk of drowning than other children. The most common place where children and adults with epilepsy drown is in a bathtub. Swimming pools are also places where seizures are likely to lead to drowning. Most drowning events are silent and happen within minutes. Here are some ways to keep your child safe around water.

Seizures

If they are well controlled with medication, go with the guidelines you have.
If poorly controlled, do not swim or swim only with one to one supervision.
Always check in with the lifeguard on duty, whether you are getting are getting in with your child or not. If you can see warning signs such as an aura, tell the lifeguard.

Bath Time
Always stay with your child when she takes a bath.
When your child is old enough to want to bath alone, she can shower instead of taking baths.
You can start teaching your young child to shower with a handheld sprayer in the bathtub. Make sure the drain is open.
Keep the bathroom door unlocked and open.
If your child falls often during seizures, consider using a tub seat with a safety strap. Put a rubber bath mat on the floor of the shower. A hand-held shower nozzle may work better when using a seat.

Swimming

Always watch your child closely in all water activities even if a lifeguard is on duty. You know your child best.
Swim with your child or always have your child swim with someone who swims well enough to help if your child has a seizure in the water.

Make a plan if your child has a seizure while swimming. Include steps to assist your child, when to call for help (911), and noting the time of onset. Talk about the plan with the whole family and include planning for pools and open water. Often lifeguards have had no real life experience with seizures and may or may not know what to look for.

Enroll your child in swimming lessons. If seizures are frequent, consider private lessons. Often teachers will leave the rest of the class at the wall and work with one student at a time. If there is a not a lifeguard on the deck, your child may be at risk. Tell the teacher your child has epilepsy or seizures. Give them signs to look for as a warning of an oncoming seizure.
Make sure that your child swims in a pool with a lifeguard. If your child has poorly controlled seizures, tell the lifeguard.
Avoid swimming in open water, like lakes or rivers unless your child is well supervised and wearing a life vest. A life vest provides an important extra measure of safety.

Have your child wear a brightly colored swimsuit and life jacket so she is easier to see.

Be aware of activities that will tend to increase seizure activity for your child, such as dehydration, exhaustion, time of day, etc.. Guard against swimming while these are present.

Boating

Always have your child wear a life vest when on a boat, raft, dock or close to water.
Make sure that other adults in the boat wear a life vest as well to serve as role models and be better prepared in an emergency.
Have your child sit down in a boat, not on the edge.
If you can, carry a cellular phone in case of emergency.
Have a plan in place should a seizure occur while boating.

Other Water Safety Tips
Check your home for drowning hazards, such as ponds, pools, cisterns and buckets.
Keep the toilet lid down.
Set the water temperature low so your child won't be scalded.
Make sure shower and bath drains run quickly and are not blocked.
Be on alert when using buckets and never leave them out when they contain fluid.
Have your child wear a life vest when near ponds, lakes, rivers, or the ocean.

Learn CPR.

Ask your child's nurse or doctor for special tips to keep your child safe around water.
Check whether your child's seizures are under sufficient control to allow swimming.
Check with your doctor or primary provider to be sure your child can use hot tubs. If ok, make sure your child is supervised at all times and the temperature is safe.

If a Seizure Occurs in the Water:
Support your child's head and keep her face out of the water.
Bring her to the shore or side of the pool and place her on her side.
Check her airway. If water has been ingested or breathing is labored, get medical treatment.

***You should always swim with a swim buddy seizure or not. Never swim alone***

[rocking4epilepsy]

Here are some links to medic alert jewelry.
I think its very important to wear something if you are having seizures.


www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx


www.medicid.com


www.medicassist.net


www.medicalalert-bracelets.com/med-ale-jew-bra.htm


q.sitelevelsearch.com/query-ask.go?crid=2459b9a513c88b59&query=Medic%20alert%20Bracelets&slice_title=&page=1&sp=1

Wearing one of these could be a life saver

[rocking4epilepsy]

Safety Helmets

Please take a minute to read about safety helmets.


www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/safety_helmet.html



www.epilepsyontario.org/client/EO/EOWeb.nsf/web/Helmets

[rocking4epilepsy]

Safety Pillows

If you or your loved one is having nocturnal seizures please either use a safety pillow or be safe do not use a pillow



www.epiweb.org/sleepsafepillows.html


www.supracor.com/lifestyle/honeypillow-personal.html




Sweet Dreams Sleep Safe

[rocking4epilepsy]

Seizure Alarms


You can either use one of these or a video camera to view your loved one


Epilepsy Monitoring Systems


www.easylinkuk.co.uk/page4.html

[Mandi]

Thanks for postin this Jen, appreciate it