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Fire
Dept. - Fire Safety for Senior Citizens
It's a fact: America's senior citizens--persons over the
age of 65--are statistically far more likely to die in home fires than
the rest of the population. The risk more than doubles for people 75 and
older.
There are several reasons why this is so:
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The skin of older people is thinner and more vulnerable
to fire.
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As people age, their reflexes slow down.
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Older people are more likely to be on medication that
makes them drowsy.
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Reasons #2 & #3 mean that the elderly have more
trouble getting out fast if they have a fire in their homes. Reason
#3 is especially dangerous if the older person combines the medication
with alcohol or smoking.
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Smoke detectors are a must for every home today. The
absolute minimum is one smoke detector for every level of the home.
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You should have a smoke detector in a bedroom if the
occupant smokes or sleeps with the door closed.
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When bedroom doors are left open, you should have
at least one in the hallway outside the bedroom area.
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Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation,
testing and maintenance.
Operation EDITH
The first step in Operation EDITH--Exit Drills In The Home--is to draw
a floor plan of your home, and to identify at least two exits out of
every room--one primary and alternate. You need to make sure the exits
could actually be used in case of fire. For example, a window painted
shut is not a good exit.
Every household should practice fire drills at least twice a year.
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Practice feeling the doorknob to your closed bedroom
door. If it's hot, don't open it--flames may come rushing in if you
do.
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Assuming that the door and doorknob are not hot, practice
opening the door slowly and cautiously. Be prepared to shut it again
quickly if necessary.
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Practice crawling on your hands and knees to the outside
exit. This may be necessary if rooms or hallways are full of smoke.
Smoke rises toward the ceiling, and the cleanest air will be near
the ground.
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Have a special place outside the home for all household
members to meet in case of fire, so that everyone is present and accounted
for.
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In case of a real fire, remember: once you are out,
stay out! Never go back in for any reason. Call the fire department
from a neighbor's home, or use a fire alarm pull box if you know of
one close by.
Electricity is a major cause of fire in the home.
The following tips will help to avoid electrical fires:
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Don't have wires hanging where they can be easily
stepped on or tripped over.
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Never run electric cords near heat sources, through
doorways, across walkways, or under rugs or carpets where they can
be stepped on.
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Never secure electric wires to walls or floors with
nails, tacks or staples.
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Don't overload your electric outlets. Check the total
wattage if you use outlet extenders or extension cords. Be sure your
home has overload protection with fuses or circuit breakers.
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Always make sure electric cords are not frayed or
damaged. Never allow cords to become knotted, as this can damage the
wire and insulation.
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Be sure all household appliances and electrical equipment
in your home are listed by Underwriters Laboratories or another recognized
testing firm.
Cooking Safety
Cooking is another significant cause of fire in the home.
Follow these safety rules to avoid cooking fires in the kitchen:
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Never leave cooking food unattended. Grease fires
start up fast when oils or fats overheat. Always remove pots and pans
from the burner if you're called away from the kitchen.
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If a grease fire does start on your stove top, most
of these can be stopped by sliding a cover over the pot or pan and
turning off the heat. Never throw water on a stove top fire or try
to pick up the pan.
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If a fire starts in the oven, simply close the door
on the fire and turn off the heat.
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Avoid wearing long, loose sleeves or loose clothing
while cooking; they can catch flame.
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Be sure to turn pot handles away from the front of
the stove, but not over another burner.
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Pot holders and oven mitts should be within easy reach.
Heating Safety
The cause of most fires in the home is heating equipment. Senior citizens
need to follow these precautions:
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Heating systems should be checked by a professional
every year, especially if the heating equipment is older.
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Make sure your furnace stands free and clear of any
combustibles. If the nearby ceiling or walls feel hot, add insulation.
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Chimneys and flues should be inspected and cleaned
on a regular basis.
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Firescreens should always be kept in front of fireplaces
to keep sparks from flying out. Arrange the andirons so the logs can't
roll out. Never go off and leave a fire unattended in the fireplace.
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Space heaters need space! These types of heaters should
be kept at least three feet from drapes, upholstery, walls or anything
that might catch fire. Never use a space heater to dry clothes.
Smoking Safety
Smoking is the number one cause of fires that kill senior citizens.
Elderly people on medication tend to become drowsy and "nod off"
with lit pipes, cigars or cigarettes. In some cases, they never wake
up. Toxic fumes from the smoke can overcome the smoker before a fire
even gets started.
Smokers should be careful to follow these rules:
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Avoid smoking when drowsy
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Always check armchairs and sofas for lit embers and
sparks after a person has been smoking. An ember can smolder for hours
and burst into flames after the household has gone to bed.
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Never smoke around flammable liquids or gases.
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Always use large, deep ashtrays for smoking.
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Alcohol and smoking can be a dangerous combination,
especially if the smoke is on medication as well.
High Rise Evacuation Safety
Many senior citizens today live in high rise apartment buildings. People
who live in high rise buildings need to remember these special safety
tips:
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In case of fire, stay away from the elevators! Elevators
are often heat sensitive, and will go directly to the floor where
the fire is.
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Use the stairs. Stairwells may be a safe refuge from
fire in many high-rise buildings, or lead to safe refuge.
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It's a good idea to memorize the number of doors from
your apartment to the exit. You may need to count if the hallway is
black with smoke.
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It's important to have a telephone in your apartment
to call for help in case you can't get out. If you wear glasses, keep
them by your bedside at night.
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