Actively consider the things that make most of us feel
safe. Gather information from a broad and diverse
group of people to understand safety issues as fully as
possible. Use this information to build safety awareness
and precautions, policies and procedures.

· Gather and analyze data on the safety issues that have occurred within the organization in the past. Focus your energies on understanding and alleviating these problems.

· Ask people what they are most afraid of in terms of
their own safety. Work with people individually to
address the areas they find most potentially threatening.

·  Remember to consider personal safety, not just   environmental safety. Support people to engage in personal safety classes, learn martial arts, carry cell phones, or wear call devices.

·  Consider safety issues everywhere – in homes, places of work, recreation and leisure, during transportation.

· Work to find a reasonable balance between supporting people to be safe while still enjoying all that life has to offer.

· Develop emergency plans that cover a host of       different situations including fire, weather emergencies, community disasters, or other community-specific issues (such as hurricanes or earthquakes).

· Use the resources that are available through your local police and fire departments and the local Red Cross agency. They have already spent a lot of time, energy and resources in thinking through these issues and can be an invaluable resource.

· Use the enhanced 911 system, if your community has it. Make sure that pertinent information is continually updated in this system for each of the people you support.

· Partner with the local community when determining
the kinds of emergencies to plan for and follow their
recommendations.

· Research safety guidelines from a variety of sources and follow all that apply to the situation.

· Support people to understand emergency           situations by:
* talking about emergency situations
* conducting emergency preparedness or
    evacuation drills
* visiting police and fire stations
* asking police or fire personnel to come to the
   people you support in their homes or places of
   work to assist in developing and reviewing
   emergency plans

· Use the tools that are available to assist in case of
emergency – fire extinguishers, security systems, safety glasses, seat belts (in cars and on wheelchairs), smoke detectors (visual and auditory), sprinkler systems, etc.

· Assure that buildings are accessible for the people
who are going to use them. Consider ramps, railings, lighting, automatic door and cabinets, roll in showers, grab bars, etc

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QUALITY IN PRACTICE GUIDE:  SAFETY