Bed and Linens Placed Against Baseboard Heater Creates Fire Hazard
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's bed was observed positioned against a wall with a baseboard heater, with bed linens hanging down and touching the heater. A plastic tub was also found under the bed near the heater. The area around the heater was marked with red tape indicating a 12-inch clearance zone, and a warning sign was posted stating that no items should be within 12 inches of the baseboard heater due to fire risk. The heater was off at the time of observation. The resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired, stated that the bed was not supposed to be against the wall and acknowledged the fire hazard, but noted the heater had not been on while the bed was in that position. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to safety protocols regarding the required clearance around baseboard heaters. A housekeeper indicated that the bed blocked access to the heater's temperature control, and a LPN confirmed that regulations required beds to be a certain distance from heaters. Upon inspection, the LPN moved the bed away from the heater, acknowledging it should not have been placed there. The Chief Nursing Officer also confirmed that nothing should be within a 12-inch radius of the heater and that the bed placement was inappropriate.