Comments on: Smoking during EI Visits…What Do You Do?

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 18:09:28 +0000

In reply to michelle.

Yes, being around smoking and having asthma can be a huge challenge for home visitors. Talking with your supervisor and keeping a change of clothes are great strategies. I would imagine that keeping your visit short might be a challenge with families who need lots of support, but it could also be necessary to safeguard your health. Thanks for sharing your perspective!

By: michelle

michelle — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:51:54 +0000

I have asthma and cigarette smoke really affects my breathing. I visited a home that the parent smoke and after the first visit, I walked out of their home wheezing, in fact took time to go home for a quick shower and change of clothes. I then made an appt. with my supervise to let her know of the situation and asked for another case worker to be assigned to this family. If I know families are smokers I keep the visit very short and keep an extra change of clothes in the car. Once back to the office, I go into the bathroom do a quick wash of face and hands and change my clothing.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 12:12:47 +0000

In reply to Kim Lephart.

Great suggestions, Kim! I’m glad you shared both suggestions. I think most families are very accommodating during a provider’s pregnancy, and when we build a strong rapport, they are happy to work with us on things like this too. Flexibility and kindness really go both ways!

By: Kim Lephart

Kim Lephart — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 23:25:28 +0000

Such a great topic! I’ve struggled with this situation. I think the only time I brought it up with a family was when I was pregnant. I thought it was obvious I was pregnant, looking back I think they thought I was just getting chubby. When I asked if they would mind smoking in another room because I was pregnant, they immediately put out the cigarettes. On my subsequent visits they would either smoke before I got there or as soon as I left.; and they smoked outside – which was better for their kiddo!
When I wasn’t pregnant, I would try to plan my visits so that my ‘smoking during session’ families were the last visits of the day.