Fire Prevention for Older Adults

People over the age of 65 are the fastest growing segment of the American population and comprise over 25 percent of fire deaths of all ages, and 30 percent of fire deaths that occur in the home.  Over 1,200 Americans over the age of 65 die each year as a result of a fire. Fires and burns are the leading cause of deaths among older adults. Residential fires injure an average of 3,000 older adults each year.

Fires caused by smoking are the leading cause of fire deaths in the elderly. Fires caused by cooking are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in the elderly. Adults in the age group between 65 and 75 have a fire death rate twice that of the national average. For the ages between 75 and 85, the death rate is three times the national average and in elderly over the age of 85, it is four times the national average.

Cooking
Never leave the stove unattended while cooking. If you need to step away from the stove, turn it off. Wear tight-fitting clothing when cooking and keep towels and potholders away from the flame. If food or grease catches fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the heat. Do not use water to extinguish a grease fire. When deep-frying, never fill the pan more than one-third of the way with oil. Never put foil or other metals in the microwave. Make sure the stove is kept clean and free of grease buildup. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove so they cannot be knocked off or pulled down.

Electrical Safety
Electric blankets should conform to the appropriate standards and have overheating protection. Do not wash electric blankets repeatedly as this can damage their electrical circuitry and cause them to catch fire. If an appliance begins to smell suspicious or emit smoke, unplug it immediately. Replace all frayed or broken electrical cords. Never use an appliance with exposed wires. Never overload extension cords, and keep them out of high traffic areas. Use only tested and UL-listed electrical appliances.

Smoking
Never smoke in bed. Make sure that you are alert when you smoke. If a gas stove or oxygen source is nearby, do not smoke. If oxygen is in use, warn visitors to refrain from smoking. Do not smoke while under the influence of alcohol or if you are taking prescription drugs that can cause drowsiness. Never leave cigarettes or cigars unattended and use large, deep ashtrays. Soak the ashes in the ashtray before discarding them.

Space Heaters
Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything, including people. Follow the manufacturers' directions regarding operation, fueling, and maintenance of your space heater. Do not use heaters or other heating devices to dry clothing.

Heating
Have your heating systems and chimneys checked and cleaned annually by a professional. Never store fuel for heating equipment in the home. Keep fuel outside or in a detached storage area or shed.

Fireplaces
Have your chimneys checked and cleaned annually by a professional. Open fireplaces can be hazardous. They should be covered with tempered glass doors and guarded by a raised hearth 9 to 18 inches high.

Smoke Alarm
Be sure to have smoke detectors outside bedrooms or in all sleeping areas and on every level of your home, including the basement.  Test your smoke detectors monthly and change their batteries once a year or if the detector is “chirping”.  If you or any member of your household is deaf or hard of hearing install a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration along with the sound alarm. One model uses a strobe light alarm to alert hearing-impaired people of danger. The remote strobe light can be mounted in a bedroom even though the detector may be located in another room or hallway, giving the same advantage of early warning available to hearing people when an alarm sounds from outside the bedroom.

Plan your escape
Know two ways out!  Plan escape routes from every room in your home.  During a fire, smoke or flames may block an exit, forcing you to use an alternative escape route.  Know how to unlock doors and windows. Windows should open with ease to allow escape.  Practice emergency exit drills to identify and eliminate obstructions.  If you live in an apartment building, count the number of doorways between your apartment and the two nearest exits.  This will be helpful when escaping fire in the dark.  No matter where you live, be familiar with all exists.  If you have trouble with stairs, it may be best to sleep on the first floor.

This article is supplied by MasterGuard, a leading educator in fire safety and prevention as well as a provider of high quality fire detectors.