Fire Safety

AGING AND FIRE

• The reduced sense of touch that comes with aging limits the ability to determine the temperature of surfaces or items such as pot handles or running water.
• Diminished or uncorrected sight impairs the ability to see fire hazards such as lit candles, burning cigarettes, and the beginning stages of a fire, when it could be extinguished more easily.
• Poor sight may limit the ability to see an exit in a fire situation.
• Loss of hearing reduces the ability to hear and respond to a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.
• Impaired mobility and loss of balance when hurrying impairs the ability to flee.
• Memory impairments are associated with lack of judgement and increase the risk of unintentionally engaging in fire-risky behaviors.
• Short-term memory loss may increase the risk of leaving a stove burner or oven on.
• Indicators of risk for fire include difficulty with kitchen tasks, such as preparing food for cooking and difficulty with following multi-step directions.
• Symptoms of depression, which include fatigue and apathy, increase the risk of fire from unattended stove or cigarettes.
• Prescription drugs and alcohol both cause drowsiness and increase fire risk.
• Thinning skin, fragile blood vessels, reduced skin elasticity, and dehydration make burns more difficult to heal if they occur.

STRATEGIES FOR SAFETY

• Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If necessary, change batteries yearly on a birthdate, Daylight Saving Time, or any other date that is easy to remember.
• Test smoke detector monthly by pressing the button on the smoke alarm unit.
• Consider a smoke detector with a strobe light. Additional information is on the website www.nfpa.org
• Write the installation date on the inside cover of the smoke detector and replace it every 10 years.
• Mount a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and elsewhere if needed (e.g., fireplace, areas where smoking is permitted). Check the pressure gauge monthly.
• Install plastic safety covers for the knobs on the oven and stove.
• Consider an auto shut-off for oven and/or stove.
• Have the gas company verify there is an automatic shut-off for natural gas if the pilot light goes out.
• Be attentive to turning off the stove before removing food from a pan on a cooking surface or in the oven.
• Set water heater to 120°F to prevent scalding.
• Color code water handles: red for hot, blue for cold.
• Place a sign on the oven, coffee maker, toaster, crock pot, iron, and other hot appliances that say “DO NOT TOUCH” or “STOP! VERY HOT.”
• Do not allow unsupervised use of appliances if the aged person demonstrates any of the risk factors described above.
• Unplug appliances when not in use and store out of sight when possible. Plug them into a surge protector kept in the “off” position if storage is not possible.
• Although microwaves present a smaller hazard than a stove, supervision may still be needed.
• Candles should not be used unless they are battery-operated. They can easily be knocked over or left burning when the person goes to bed, increasing fire risk.
• Give space heaters space.
• Develop a fire escape plan for the home, including who will be responsible for helping the aged person get to safety.
• Let a neighbor know that someone in the home needs additional assistance should a fire occur.
• Stop smoking.
• If smoking cessation is not an option:
  • Keep matches and lighter separate from the tobacco product and allow the aged person to smoke only when in the presence of others.
  • Purchase a large, deep ashtray and keep water in the bottom of it.
  • Place a cookie sheet under the ashtray to prevent ashes from falling on furniture or fabric surfaces.
  • Don’t let the aged person smoke in bed.