Safety Tips

Do the people around you know how to help if you have a seizure?

• Make sure your family, friends, teachers or coworkers know seizure first aid.
• You and your family should know first aid for choking.
• Wear a medical identification bracelet or necklace.
• Avoid things that trigger seizures, like forgetting to take your medication, not getting enough sleep, or drinking alcohol.
• Carry a small, portable, pre-programmed phone or beeper in case you have to call for help and you are away from a telephone.

>Have you ever fallen or been burned during a seizure at home? Making specific changes around the home can significantly reduce such injuries.

Tips for ensuring safety around the home

• Carpet the floors, including entranceways and bathrooms, using dense-pile carpet with thick underpadding.
• Pad sharp edges of tables and other furniture. Don’t leave drawers open.
• Avoid free-standing or table lamps and glass decorations.
• Whenever possible, sit down when doing household chores or using tools.
• Place non-flammable secure barriers in front of hot radiators, heaters and fireplaces.
• Avoid smoking, lighting fires or candles when you’re by yourself.
• Keep floors clear of clutter and tie up dangling electrical cords.
• Avoid climbing up on chairs or ladders, especially when alone. Put safety gates at the top of steep stairs.
• Use “automatic shut off” appliances, power tools, etc. whenever possible.
• Be careful of irons, hair dryers, lawn mowers, saws, sewing machines, etc.
• Securely lock outside doors if you tend to wander during a seizure. Consider placing an alarm on an outside door to alert others.
• If your seizures are very frequent and sudden, consider wearing a helmet with faceguard and/or knee or elbow pads, at least when you’re at home alone.