Florida Injury Prevention Programs for Seniors (FLIPS)

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Florida Injury Prevention Programs for Seniors
(FLIPS)

• Senior Fire Safety

Professional Module
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Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this program, you will be able
to

• understand the fire safety issues for seniors to
  include statistics, high risks/special
  considerations for seniors, and components of
  fire
• be aware of fire hazards and how to prevent them
  
• install, maintain and demonstrate proper use of
  safety devices

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Learning Objectives contd

• discuss various fire safety behaviors such as
• stop, drop, and roll
• escape planning and exit drills
• dialing 9-1-1
• putting out small fires
• cooling burns
• be aware of local, state, and national resources.

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Overview of FLIPS

• Professionalsphysical therapy, health education,
  nursing, practitioners, researchers, etc.
• Focusfall prevention fire safety and poison,
  medication food safety
• Satellite groups
• Janet LehmanFLIPS coordinator in DOEA. Email
  lehmanji_at_elderaffairs.org

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The FactsNational Statistics

• The risk of death for people age 65 and over is 3
  times greater than adults under age 65. Why?
• less able to take quick action
• may be on medication that affects ability to make
  quick decisions
• many live alone

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The FactsThe State of Florida

• More fires occur on what day of the week?
• Monday
• Thursday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Friday
• Sunday
• Saturday

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The Facts contd

• Where do most fires occur?
• Most fires occur in the home and 80 of all fire
  deaths occur in the home.
• The South has the highest fire death rate per
  capita.

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The Facts contd

• What are the leading causes of fires in the
  nation?
• cooking
• smoking
• heating

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Basic Fire Dynamics

• It takes 3 components to make a fire
• heat
• fuel
• oxygen

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Fire Hazards for Seniors

• Cooking accidents
• Unsafe smoking
• Heating equipment
• Faulty wiring

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Fire Quiz

• A pot on the stove is on fire
  What Do You Do?

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Home Fire HazardsEliminate Them!

• Conduct a home safety survey.
• Exterior hazards
• lighting, shrubbery, visible house numbers, etc.
• Interior hazards
• survey each room of the house

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Interior Home Fire HazardsThe Living Room

• Check use of extension cords
• temporary/not under the carpet
• Fireplace/heating appliances
• creosote free
• fireplace screens
• space heaters (3 feet of space)
• Safe smoking practices

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Interior Home Fire HazardsThe Kitchen

• The most dangerous room
• Check cords on electrical appliances
• replace frayed or worn cords
• unplug appliances when not in use
• Use safe cooking practices
• never leave cooking unattended
• pot handles/covers/microwaves
• no storage in ovens
• Fire Extinguisher

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Interior Home Fire HazardsFire Extinguisher Facts

• Use for small fires ONLY!
• Operation P.A.S.S.
• Pull the pin
• Aim
• Squeeze
• Sweep

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Interior Home Fire HazardsThe Bedroom

• Use of oxygen
• shut off if fire starts
• No extension cords under rugs
• Safe smoking practices
• Know two ways out
• Accessible windows
• Burglar bars which are quick release to the
  inside of the window

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Interior Home Fire HazardsThe Bathroom

• Hot water heater
• thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit
• automatic shut-off
• Safety measures
• non-skid strips/flashlights
• grab bars/chairs
• telephone

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Home Fire HazardsSafety Devices

• Early warning devices
• smoke alarms/heat detectors most important and
  check monthly
• carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in a fire, most
  people die from CO
• Safety measures
• lifeline alerts
• residential sprinklers
• fire resistive clothing/upholstery

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Home Fire HazardsDetectors

• Smoke alarms/heat detectors
• purpose
• installation
• maintenance
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• purpose
• installation
• maintenance

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Home Fire HazardsEmergency Measures

• Know your emergency system
• 9-1-1
• enhanced 9-1-1
• reporting an emergency

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Home Fire HazardsEscape Plan E.D.I.T.H.

• Know 2 ways out of each room
• Designate a meeting place outside
• Discuss what to do about family pets
• Have a chain ladder for 2-story homes
• Practice it!

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The Fire PlanWhat To Do In The Event of a Fire

• Get low and go
• Get out fast
• Once out, stay out
• Call 9-1-1 from a neighbors home

9-1-1
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The Fire PlanWhat To Do In The Event of a Fire

• If fire gets on your clothing, stop, drop,
  roll!
• If burned, run cold water over the burn.
• Dont use home remedies like butter.

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The Fire PlanWhat To Do In The Event of a Fire
contd

• If you have to stay
• dial 9-1-1
• shut down heat/air conditioning unit
• fill the bathtub with water
• wet towels around doors
• signal from a window
• get low under the smoke

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Be Safe From Fire!

• Remember these 3 things
• eliminate home hazards
• install safety devices
• practice emergency measures

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Fire Safety Resources

• Local fire departments
• Hospitals
• Insurance agencies
• Safe Kids

• Shriners Clubs
• State Fire Marshalls Office
• National Fire Protection Association
• U.S. Fire Administration/FEMA

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Education Is The Key To Prevention Safety
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Dont Be Scared,Be Prepared!