Safety at home

You are, of course, responsible for your own safety, both inside and outside your home. You can explain your condition to friends so that they too can make sure your surroundings are as safe as possible. Some basic safety rules will help.

Bathing
A shower is preferable to a bath, but if there is only a bath in your house, the water should be shallow and not too hot. Turn the taps off before getting into it. If a shower is used, make sure that the water temperature control is working efficiently. It is safer not to lock bathroom and toilet doors and whenever possible, the door should hinge outwards in case of emergencies. If possible, let someone in the house know if you are taking a bath. In fact, if a seizure is likely to occur, you may only like to have a bath when someone else is around.
Cooking
Cookers should be guarded. Turn the saucepan handles away from the edge. Take plates or serving dishes to the cooker rather than carrying hot pans. Kettle tippers and teapot pourers are available to avoid carrying containers of hot liquid.
Electricity
Avoid trailing electric flexes, particularly those attached to appliances which could cause a fire or burns if pulled over.
Heating
Avoid free-standing heaters. Fireguards should be substantial and firmly secured. Radiator guards are an added precaution.
Stairs
If you are having frequent and unpredictable seizures, stairs can be a hazard. If unable to avoid stairs, careful planning can keep the number of occasions you use the stairs to a minimum.
Glass doors
Where possible, use safety glass or cover ordinary glass with safety film.
Beds
If you have sleep seizures, place the bed against the wall or use protective cushions around it to prevent injury if you fall out of bed. Keep sharp objects like bedside cabinets away from the bed. You can get advice about suppliers of special safety pillows from the Epilepsy Assocation.
First Aid
Always make sure you have a fully stocked first aid kit.
Driving
For some of you, one of the new experiences you face will be learning to drive. You can apply for a licence when you have been seizure-free for 12 months, or, if yo have sleep seizures, it will be necessary to wait for three years to establish that the pattern of seizures is only during sleep.

If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy, in the UK you must not drive by law for a set period of time. The law in other countries does differ, tending to be stricter than the UK. Luckily, most people with epilepsy are not barred from driving forever. Many of BEA's members drive cars and ordinary driving does not usually pose a problem, provided your epilepsy is under control. There are special rules concerning epilepsy and driving in the UK are set out. Harsh though these may seem, they are there to protect you and others from the risk of a road accident. Seizures occurring at the wheel are at present the most frequent medical cause of accidents which could be prevented.

The ability to drive is a valuable asset today, particularly in areas where public transport is poor, and losing your licence can come as a bitter blow. Having to stop driving can be particularly upsetting if your job involves driving or if other people rely on yu being able to drive them around. Bear in mind that you will almost certainly only have to forfeit your licence for a short period and, once your seizures are controlled, will be able to take to the road again safely and legally. However, if you are one of the few whose seizures are never sufficiently controlled to allow you back behind the wheel, you'll usually find that, once you get used to it, a little forward planning allows you to get around without too much trouble. You may even discover benefits - saving money, less stress and becoming fitter.