FIRE SAFETY FOR OLDER AMERICANS

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FIRE SAFETY FOR OLDER AMERICANS

• Visually impaired or Blind
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Mobility Impaired

South Carolina Office of State Fire
Marshal Public Fire Education and Data Management
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SC Fire Fatalities
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SC Fire Fatalities in Older Adults
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Leading Cause of Fire Fatalities and Injuries in
Older Americans

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ObjectivesParticipants will recognize the
increased fire risk for older Americans and
address safety issues in three primary areas

• Before Fire Strikes What You Need To Do
• What To Do During A Fire
• General Fire Safety Prevention Tips

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Why?

• The aging process may limit ability to move
  quickly in an emergency situation
• Medications may further impact mobility
• Many people live alone

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What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

• PREPARE before a fire occurs to reduce risks
• KNOW WHAT TO DO if a fire does occur
• PRACTICE good fire safety habits

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I. How to Prepare Before A Fire Strikes
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Install Smoke Alarms

• The Smoke that can kill you can also save your
  life by activating a smoke alarm

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• For maximum protection, an alarm should be
  installed in every room, but especially in
  sleeping rooms and between sleeping and living
  areas, and on every level of your home
• Refer to manufacturers guidelines for
  installation

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• Avoid installing in dead-air spaces in corners.
• Test alarms monthly
• Clean alarms periodically

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If you are hearing impaired. . .

• Strobe lights or vibratory smoke alarms are
  available
• Keep a TTY/TDD or phone next to your bed along
  with emergency telephone numbers
• Involve the fire department in preparing your
  exit plan

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• In South Carolina,
• your landlord is responsible for installing
  smoke alarms in all rental property

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SMOKE ALARMS MORE THAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF
SURVIVING A FIREInstall yours today!
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Prepare an Escape Plan
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Your Escape Plan Should

• Identify two ways out of each room
• Designate a meeting place outside
• Identify a method for contacting the fire
  department from outside your home

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.While developing your plan, consider the
following

• If you use a wheelchair or walker, make sure all
  exit routes will allow you to pass through
• If special impairments could prevent you from
  escaping, talk to your local fire department to
  get advice for your particular circumstance

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II. During the Fire

• In the unfortunate
• event of your home catching fire,
• KNOW WHAT TO DO

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GET OUT and STAY OUT!

• Leave as soon as possible
• Dont waste time collecting valuables and
  memorabilia

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If Smoke is Present

• Stay Low Under the Smoke
• The air nearest to the floor is the cleanest. If
  physically unable to crawl, cover your mouth and
  nose to avoid breathing toxic fumes and make your
  way to safety as quickly as possible

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Test Doors Before Opening

• Determine whether it is safe to exit through
• the door or whether you should use your
• alternate exit
• Use the back of your hand, reach up high, and
• touch the door, doorknob and the space
• between the door and the frame

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If You Become Trapped

• Dont Panic
• Close all doors between you and the fire
• Fill cracks in doors and cover vents with damp
  cloth
• Call the Fire Department and tell them where you
  are located
• Signal rescuers from a window

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If Your Clothes Catch Fire

• Stop, Drop and Roll
• Cover your face with your hands, drop to the
  ground, rolling over and over to smother the
  fire.
• If you are unable to conduct these actions, use a
  blanket, rug, or other material to smother any
  flames.

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General Fire Prevention and Safety
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Electric Space Heaters
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Electric Space Heaters, cont.

• Use adequate wiring and sufficient outlet voltage
• Should be approved by a nationally recognized
  testing laboratory
• Should have an automatic shut-off feature / switch

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Electric Space Heaters, cont.

• Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away
• Keep children and pets away from heater
• Avoid using extension cords

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Fireplace Safety
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Fireplaces, cont.

• Service annually to check for cracks, creosote
  build-up, and other defects
• Never use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to
  start fire
• Keep a screen or tempered glass door in front of
  fireplace to prevent sparks from flying

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Wood Burning Stoves
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Wood Burning Stoves, cont.

• Top chimneys with spark guard
• Tested by nationally recognized testing
  laboratory, (UL Listed) and follow manufacturers
  guidelines for operation and installation
• Use adequate ventilation

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Kerosene Heaters
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Kerosene Heaters, cont.

• Should have safety shut-off valve
• Use only pure kerosene
• Never operate unattended
• Refill unit outside

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Electrical Safety
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Electrical Safety, cont.

• Inspect electrical cords for frayed or broken
  wires
• Dont overload extension cords keep them out of
  high-traffic areas
• Avoid over-washing electric blankets

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Cooking Safety
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Cooking safety, cont.

• Never leave stove unattended NOT EVEN FOR A
  MINUTE!
• Wear tight fitting clothes to prevent sleeves
  from catching fire
• Smother grease fires with a lid
• Turn pot handles to the inside

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Other Factors Affecting Fire Risks with Older
Americans

• Alcohol
• Medications/Drugs
• Smoking

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Careless Smoking

• The 1 cause of fires in
• senior citizen communities,
• especially when combined
• with alcohol, illness, or fatigue

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• Never smoke in bed - or allow
• anyone else
• If an oxygen source is nearby, dont smoke
• Smoking while under the influence of Alcohol or
  other drugs may increase fire risk
• Use large deep-dish ashtrays

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• Check upholstered furniture for discarded or
  smoldering cigarettes before going to bed
• Douse ashtrays with water before emptying

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In Review. . .

• Before the Fire Have working smoke alarms and
  prepare and practice an escape plan.
• During a Fire Stay low and go test doors
  before opening, stop drop and roll if your
  clothes catch fire
• Practice general fire safety and prevention