Slide 1: Safety First!
Robyn Bernardy, Director
Lisa Womack, Project Director
Slide 2:
What is the number one priority for teaching someone to ride public transit independently?
SAFETY!
Slide 3: What will we cover?
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Pedestrian safety
Safety in the community
o Cultural sensitivity
Safety in other’s homes
What would you do?
Recommendations for next steps
Slide 4: Pedestrian Safety
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CDC data, 2010
o 4,280 pedestrians were killed
o 70,000 pedestrians were injured
o Older adults accounted for 19% of pedestrians deaths
Slide 5: Distracted Walking
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Injury Prevention study, 2012
o 30% of pedestrians performed a distracted activity while crossing the street
o Texting & talking while crossing increased crossing time by 18%
o Texting pedestrians were 3.9 times more likely than undistracted pedestrians to display
at least one unsafe crossing behavior
Slide 6: Safety tips for pedestrians
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Be safe and be seen
o Make yourself visible
Be smart and alert
o Avoid dangerous behaviors
Be careful at crossings
o Look before you step
Slide 7: Staying safe in the community
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National Association of Social Workers study
o 52% said they sometimes worry about safety
o 57% said that they had experienced one or more type of client violence during their
careers
o 18% of social work agencies have a formal written agency safety policy
Slide 8: Phone snatches
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Tips from transit police:
o Keep your high-tech devices out of sight
o Don’t use white or red headphone cords
o Don’t be distracted by what’s on the screen
o Use both hands to hold your device
o Always avoid using electronic devices near train doors
Slide 9: Muggings
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Prevent muggings
If you are mugged:
o Do what they say
o Remain calm and non-confrontational
o Make note of distinguishing characteristics
o Call police
Slide 10: Cultural Sensitivity
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Being smart without being insensitive
Realizing where our own ‘lines’ are
Slide 11: Staying Safe in Other’s Homes
Slide 12: Potentially Dangerous Situations
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Known abusers in the home
Weapons are present & accessible
People under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Signs of drug use
Aggressive, unrestrained animals
Quarreling/fighting
o Holes in the wall that look like fist holes
Slide 13: Home Visitor Styles
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Frightened/avoidant
Clueless
Naïve/compassionate
Bravado
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Informed
Slide 14: Safe Practices
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Bring your cell phone and business card
Only enter a residence if invited by an adult
Let your client see you ‘check in’ when you get there
Avoid kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms
Be respectful and courteous
Remain alert
If they ask you to leave, leave
Slide 15: De-escalation Techniques
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Do not get loud or try to yell over screaming
Do not argue or try to convince
Answer all informational questions no matter how rudely asked
Give choices where possible if alternates are all safe
Empathize with feelings but not with behavior
Trust your instincts
Slide 16: Develop a Safety Policy
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Safety procedures for home and community visits
Safety procedures for office visits
Procedures for clients with weapons
Procedures for clients under the influence of substances
Slide 17: What would you do?
You walk into a home and see an unlocked, open gun cabinet with guns inside.
Slide 18: What would you do?
You are headed to an apartment; at the entrance to the apartment building, there is a large
group of young people sitting on the steps out front drinking and smoking.
Slide 19: What would you do?
At the entrance to a trainee’s home, there is a high chain link fence with a ‘beware of dog’ sign
posted. When you knock on the fence, you hear a menacing snarl on the other side.
Slide 20: Recommendations
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Make sure your organization has a safety policy
Think about all of these ‘what-if’ scenarios so that you can be ready if something does happen
Slide 21: Questions?
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Robyn Bernardy – rbernardy@mtm-inc.net
Lisa Womack – lwomack@mtm-inc.net