Home healthcare workers may encounter unsanitary homes, 

temperature extremes, homes without water that is safe to drink, or 

hostile pets.

EMPLOYERS SHOULD

Establish criteria for acceptable home environments, including 

hygiene, temperature, access to water, and pets. Train employees 

on the concept of acceptable home environments and what they 

should do if a home they visit is unsanitary.

EMPLOYEES SHOULD

Follow their employers’ guidelines for reporting of 

unacceptable home environments.

UNSANITARY CONDITIONS

Hygiene may be an issue of concern for home healthcare 

workers in some client locations. Unsanitary homes may harbor 

pests such as rodents, lice, bedbugs, or mites. These unsanitary 

conditions can cause contamination of medical supplies and 

equipment, as well as spread disease and infection.

If a home is unsanitary:

•	 Consider using clean pads with plastic on one side to place

under equipment and supplies.

•	 Take in only the necessary equipment and supplies so pests

infest fewer things.

•	 Avoid setting objects such as purses and bags on a carpeted floor

or upholstered furniture.

•	 Consider wearing disposable coveralls.

•	 Use non-latex disposable gloves and hand sanitizer.

HOME TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

Some clients’ homes may be very hot or very cold. If this is the 

case, take the following steps:

•	 If you are concerned about the home being too cold and you

cannot change the thermostat, ask your employer to contact

social service agencies to help the client. Local resources may be

available to help pay heating bills.

 How to Prevent Exposure in Unsafe Conditions
•	 If a home is uncomfortably warm, ask for permission from the

client to open the windows and use fans. If necessary, apply cool

compresses to your neck. Drink plenty of water. If you believe the

client is at risk from the heat, ask your employer to contact social

service agencies to help the client.

LACK OF WATER

Home healthcare workers may encounter a home with no 

running water or water that is of poor quality. Homes may 

use bottled water for drinking and have access to cisterns for 

flushing and bathing.

•	 If conditions present a health hazard, ask your employer to contact

social service agencies to help the client.

•	 Use hand sanitizer.	

HOSTILE ANIMALS

In some situations, home healthcare workers may be threatened, 

bitten, or otherwise injured by unrestrained animals.

When facing a threat from an animal:

•	 Wait outside until the pet is restrained.

•	 If you see fleas or other pests, discuss appropriate control measures

with the client and contact your supervisor.

•	 If the client isn’t receptive to pest control measures, ask

your employer to contact social services to help the client and

make it possible to work there.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

This is one in a series of six fast fact cards developed to provide practical advice for home healthcare workers 

and is based on NIOSH Hazard Review: Occupational Hazards in Home Healthcare, NIOSH Pub No. 2010–125.

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO | TTY: 1–888–232–6348

Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov | Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/healthcare

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012–121

February 2012

Safer - Healthier - PeopleTM