As we eagerly await warmer weather, it’s important to also prepare ahead of time for what the change of season brings. Along with longer days, warmer weather, and pretty blooms, springtime produces vastly changing weather conditions and allergies. You’re likely to be spending more time outdoors and experiencing greater exposure to the sun. Make sure to think ahead and follow the tips below to ensure your safety as a home health care worker this season!
1. Infection Prevention
With warmer weather comes laxer precautions. Now that cold and flu season is on its way out and many people are outside enjoying the sunlight, it’s common to see larger groups of people socializing, fewer masks, and less social distancing. A hallmark of nursing safety is preventing yourself from getting whatever illness your clients have. Make sure to don the appropriate personal protective gear every single time you enter your client’s home.
2. Prepare for changing weather.
Springtime weather can change drastically from day to day and even hour to hour. Rain or a thunderstorm can assemble out of nowhere and bring dark skies and cold winds. It is important to be cognizant of the forecast for the entire day before you go out, and prep accordingly. Keep a sweater or jacket in your car and try to dress in layers.
3. Wear Sunscreen
It may seem unnecessary when you’re spending much of your time within someone’s home, but even a short walk or drive in the sun can cause sunburn. Regardless of visible damage, exposure to UV rays can also cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis, and solar elastosis. Additionally, UV rays can cause eye problems. Keep an extra set of sunglasses in your car and start your day off by using a moisturizer with SPF.
4. Spring Cleaning
As many people feel inspired to clean their homes and get organized this time of year, think outside of the box and focus on household safety items. Do you have enough fire alarms in your residence and have the batteries been updated? Clean the dust covers of your carbon monoxide detectors and review your emergency escape plan with each member of the family in the event of a fire. Clean or replace your furnace and air filters.
5. Car Safety
April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also create tricky driving conditions. Safe driving in a rainstorm means turning on your headlights, driving slowly, and giving other vehicles more space. Check the forecast and allow yourself more time for your work commute when a storm is predicted. Winter can be hard on your wiper blades since they’ve been swiping through icy build-up all season long. Replace the blades every spring to ensure they’re in tip-top condition when the first storm hits. Make sure to also check your windshield wiper fluid level.