I'm wondering how other facilities handle this safety issue. Are Windows locked in such a fashion that they can't be open in an emergency? Until recently, sliding windows at mom's facility were secured by an extra drill hole lock that could be removed with an inserted screw. Now, a screw has been drilled into the top frame and bottom lock has been permanently attached and can't be removed which prevents the window from being opened more than 4 inches. While maintenance has tools to remove these locks, it wouldn't be feasible in an emergency such as fire or earthquake.
Now alarms have been added to the Windows such they can't even be opened a tiny crack for fresh air
They shampooed the carpets today and the room stinks like chemicals and now we can't open the bloody Windows at all to get some air - grrrrr
I noticed tonight that the Windows have been changed back to their original thumbscrew locks
makes me feel better, but I wonder what prompted the change?
They left one poor resident in the elevator trying to decide whether they should call the fire dept for fear they would break the door open and then they'd have no access to the upstairs
- They left the demented chap in there alone for 30-40 minutes while he banged on the door
Clearly, mom wouldn't be making any escape through the window at this point but doorways get jammed in earthquakes and I do have private aides overnight in the room
Since the sliding lock is sold at Home Depot I've decided to just buy one so I have the little hex tool and tape that and a screwdriver in mom's drawer and advise private aides it is there along with a little flashlight
I think this is a challenging problem for all facilities
In a private home, one might have breakaway security bars but then that wouldn't look nice, would it ?
The truth is that most residents would be incapable of getting themselves out in an emergency even from a first floor room.
Most high rise buildings where the occupants are not compromised in any way do have non opening windows. The shooter in Las vagus actually had to break windows to comit his horrendous crime. I also wonder how the poor lost souls at the World Trade Center managed to jump from high floors.
I agree with MsMadge this is not an ideal situation but wonder how many lives would actually be lost with free access to open windows compared to the number who die because they can't be rescued.
An interesting problem. I wonder how I would have escaped from my fourth floor room in the hospital. No one showed me where the fire exit was plus I was not allowed out of bed alone (not that that would have stopped me)
Keep us updated MsMadge.
Because, I think the fire dept. are our friends. Their job is to make safety inspections.
Fearing retribution from the Hoca should not be a factor, in this case. The fire dept. can also be very friendly, even to those who ignore fire dept. regulations, if this is the case.
So, I suggest you share this time. I really think places like the Hoca are so bad that they will be going out of business. My hope for you and your Mom is that there will be a safe place for her.
I haven't been present when they do fire drill at mom's current NH, but I have been there when the power went out and all the doors slammed shut. The hope is that any real fire can be contained long enough for emergency services to arrive and help evacuate, even in the best run facility they obviously have no hope of getting every frail, demented and mobility impaired resident out in a timely manner.
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower catastrophe, fire control and escape in houses of multiple occupation have been a major issue - though they've set up a commission to investigate so we won't be hearing any conclusions for quite some time 🙄
But in Hoca, the windows have to:
keep people out
keep people in
allow ventilation
and presumably, then, the one thing they are not intended for is emergency access. So what alternative provision for emergency access replaces them? - that's what I'd be asking the management.