FIRE SAFETY FOR OLDER AMERICANS

FIRE SAFETY FOR OLDER AMERICANS

Visually impaired or Blind

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Mobility Impaired

Visually impaired or Blind

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Mobility Impaired

South Carolina Office of State Fire MarshalPublic Fire Education and Data ManagementSouth Carolina Office of State Fire MarshalPublic Fire Education and Data Management

SC Fire Fatalities

SC Fire Fatalities in Older Adults

SC Fire Fatalities in Older Adults

35

62

26

28

26

38

30

18

33

29

18

27

32

29

32

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

FireFatalities ofOlder Adults

*This data has been compiled from the South Carolina Fire Fatality Reporting System.

Leading Cause of Fire Fatalities and Injuries in Older

Americans

Leading Cause of Fire Fatalities and Injuries in Older

Americans

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

Objectives:Participants 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

• Before Fire Strikes: What You Need To Do

• What To Do During A Fire

• General Fire Safety & Prevention Tips

Why?…Why?…

• The aging process may limit ability to move quickly in an emergency situation

• Medications may further impact mobility

• Many people live alone

• The aging process may limit ability to move quickly in an emergency situation

• Medications may further impact mobility

• Many people live alone

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

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

• PREPARE before a fire occurs to reduce risks

• KNOW WHAT TO DO if a fire does occur

• PRACTICE good fire safety habits

I. How to Prepare Before A Fire Strikes

I. How to Prepare Before A Fire Strikes

Install Smoke AlarmsInstall Smoke Alarms

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

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

• 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 manufacturer’s guidelines for installation

• 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 manufacturer’s guidelines for installation

• Avoid installing in dead-air spaces in corners.

• Test alarms monthly

• Clean alarms periodically

• Avoid installing in dead-air spaces in corners.

• Test alarms monthly

• Clean alarms periodically

If you are hearing impaired. . .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

• 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

In South Carolina,

your landlord is responsible for installing smoke alarms in all rental property

In South Carolina,

your landlord is responsible for installing smoke alarms in all rental property

SMOKE ALARMS MORE THAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF

SURVIVING A FIRE…

Install yours today!

SMOKE ALARMS MORE THAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF

SURVIVING A FIRE…

Install yours today!

Prepare an Escape PlanPrepare an Escape Plan

Your Escape Plan Should: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

• Identify two ways out of each room

• Designate a meeting place outside

• Identify a method for contacting the fire department from outside your home

.

While developing your plan, consider the following:

.

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

• 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

II. During the FireII. During the Fire

In the unfortunate

event of your home catching fire,

KNOW WHAT TO DO

In the unfortunate

event of your home catching fire,

KNOW WHAT TO DO

GET OUT and STAY OUT!GET OUT and STAY OUT!Leave as soon as possible

• Don’t waste time collecting valuables and memorabilia

Leave as soon as possible

• Don’t waste time collecting valuables and memorabilia

If Smoke is PresentIf 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

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

Test Doors Before OpeningTest 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

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

If You Become TrappedIf You Become Trapped

Don’t 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

Don’t 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

If Your Clothes Catch FireIf 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.

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.

General Fire Prevention and Safety

General Fire Prevention and Safety

Electric Space HeatersElectric Space Heaters

Electric Space Heaters, cont.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

• Use adequate wiring and sufficient outlet voltage

• Should be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory

• Should have an automatic shut-off feature / switch

Electric Space Heaters, cont.Electric Space Heaters, cont.

• Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away

• Keep children and pets away from heater

• Avoid using extension cords

• Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away

• Keep children and pets away from heater

• Avoid using extension cords

Fireplace SafetyFireplace Safety

• 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

• 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

Fireplaces, cont.Fireplaces, cont.

Wood Burning StovesWood Burning Stoves

Wood Burning Stoves, cont.Wood Burning Stoves, cont.

• Top chimneys with spark guard

• Tested by nationally recognized testing laboratory, (UL Listed) and follow manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and installation

• Use adequate ventilation

• Top chimneys with spark guard

• Tested by nationally recognized testing laboratory, (UL Listed) and follow manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and installation

• Use adequate ventilation

Kerosene HeatersKerosene Heaters

Kerosene Heaters, cont.Kerosene Heaters, cont.

• Should have safety shut-off valve

• Use only pure kerosene

• Never operate unattended

• Refill unit outside

• Should have safety shut-off valve

• Use only pure kerosene

• Never operate unattended

• Refill unit outside

Electrical SafetyElectrical Safety

Electrical Safety, cont.Electrical Safety, cont.

• Inspect electrical cords for frayed or broken wires

• Don’t overload extension cords – keep them out of high-traffic areas

• Avoid over-washing electric blankets

• Inspect electrical cords for frayed or broken wires

• Don’t overload extension cords – keep them out of high-traffic areas

• Avoid over-washing electric blankets

Cooking SafetyCooking Safety

Cooking safety, cont.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

• 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

Other Factors Affecting Fire Risks with Older AmericansOther Factors Affecting Fire Risks with Older Americans

• Alcohol

• Medications/Drugs

• Smoking

• Alcohol

• Medications/Drugs

• Smoking

Careless Smoking…Careless Smoking…

The #1 cause of fires in

senior citizen communities,

especially when combined

with alcohol, illness, or fatigue

The #1 cause of fires in

senior citizen communities,

especially when combined

with alcohol, illness, or fatigue

• Never smoke in bed - or allow anyone else • If an oxygen source is nearby, don’t smoke• Smoking while under the influence of

Alcohol or other drugs may increase fire risk

• Use large deep-dish ashtrays

• Never smoke in bed - or allow anyone else • If an oxygen source is nearby, don’t smoke• Smoking while under the influence of

Alcohol or other drugs may increase fire risk

• Use large deep-dish ashtrays

• Check upholstered furniture for discarded or smoldering cigarettes before going to bed

• Douse ashtrays with water before emptying

• Check upholstered furniture for discarded or smoldering cigarettes before going to bed

• Douse ashtrays with water before emptying

In Review. . .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

• 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