When it comes to aged care facilities, safety is of utmost importance. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or a natural disaster, it is essential to have proper evacuation equipment to ensure the safety of all residents and staff. In addition to having the right equipment at hand, a well-prepared evacuation plan can make a significant difference in the safety and well-being of residents and staff during an emergency. Sometimes overlooked, emergency lighting is also important to ensure that residents and staff can navigate through the facility and find their way to the exit in the event of a power outage or other emergency.
In this blog post, we will be discussing some of our most important evacuation equipment for aged care facilities and why they are necessary.
Emergency Alarms
Smoke and fire alarms are a standard and necessary feature of emergency prevention and planning for aged care facilities. However, some individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may not be alerted to an alarm or siren. The Deafgard Emergency Alarm is a device designed for individuals who are deaf or have hearing impairment. In the event of an emergency which triggers a fire or smoke alarm, the Deafgard alarm will alert the individual through a vibrating pad and flashing light. This is an important tool to ensure that all residents are alerted in the event of an emergency.
Stairway Evacuation
Evacuations down stairways can be especially challenging in aged care facilities, or other environments where residents have limited mobility. Sometimes due to power failures or safety, normal operation of lifts will be ceased; meaning the only way to safely exit a building is to use the stairs.
- The EvacSafe is a unique product designed to help staff evacuate individuals with mobility issues who may be in their beds, in the event of an emergency. The EvacSafe sits beneath the mattress (with the bed made as usual) and can easily be used to transport individuals down stairs or across a floor surface whilst safely cocooning the resident in the mattress. This is a crucial tool to ensure that all individuals are evacuated safely in the event of an emergency.
For some aged care facilities – especially ones that may not have a lift, or rural facilities that experience regular power failures – a chair that assists with stairway evacuations may be ideal to have available. These devices are lightweight, durable, and easy to maneuver, making it possible for staff to move residents quickly and safely during an emergency. It is always best to have training with such devices, to ensure your team knows the correct procedures on how to use them safely. We offer in-house training and train the trainer sessions.
- The EvacChair 900H Power is an electric stair climber that is designed to assist individuals with mobility issues in the event of an emergency evacuation. The chair can easily climb or descend stairs, making it an essential tool for buildings that do not have elevators. The EvacChair 900H Power is a sturdy and reliable device that can safely transport individuals during an evacuation.
- The Evac+Chair is a lightweight, easy-to-use device that can be used to transport individuals down stairs during an emergency evacuation. The chair is designed to be operated by a single person, making it an essential tool for buildings with limited staff. The Evac+Chair is also compact and can be easily stored when not in use.
Having the proper evacuation equipment is essential for the safety of all individuals in an aged care facility, it is also a critical responsibility of the aged care facility’s staff to be trained in the proper . The Deafgard Emergency Alarm, EvacSafe, EvacChair 900H Power, and Evac+Chair are just a few of the essential tools that can help ensure the safe evacuation of all residents and staff. To learn more about these essential items and other aged care equipment be in touch with our professional and knowledgeable team 02 9983 9520.
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