Senior Citizen Fire Safety & Safety Tips
"REMEMBERING WHEN"
A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults, was developed by NFPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults live safely at home for as long as possible.
Fact: Adults 65 or older are twice as likely to be killed or injured by falls or fires compared to the rest of the population.
Fact: Adults age 65 and over make up 30% of falls in the U.S. which is a leading cause to unintentional death and injury in the home.
Fact: Adults age 65 and over make up 12% of the population in the U.S. and that number is increasing.
Remembering When is centered around 16 key safety messages – eight fire prevention and eight fall prevention - developed by experts from national and local safety organizations as well as through focus group testing in high-fire-risk states. The program was designed to be implemented by a coalition comprising the local fire department, service clubs, social and religious organizations, retirement communities, and others. Coalition members can decide how to best approach the local senior population: through group presentations, during home visits, and/or as part of a smoke alarm installation and fall intervention program. This refreshed version of the Remembering When program targets a range of older adults and is meant to be appealing to active seniors. Updates to the program include clear messages, new photography, and current statistics.
Check out the Remembering When website for a complete guide on Senior Citizen safety, program guide, safety checklist, message cards, and much more.
Smoking and misuse of space heaters are the leading cause of death and inury in older adults. Try the following tips on how to be fire-safe.
Why are older adults at risk? Seniors are at a greater risk because they are home alone and there is no one close if the need help. They may also have disabilities or be on medications that impair their mobility or ability to make a quick decision. Many seniors also do not know what to do in case of a fire.
- Never smoke in bed, you might accidentally set clothing, newspapers, or bedding on fire. Keep smoking areas to the kitchen or living room.
- Don't run electrical cords under rugs and avoid using extension cords on electric blankets or space heaters.
- Do not use a dish towel as a potholder, they may come in contact with a burner and catch on fire.
- Loose clothing can catch on fire by accidentally touching an electric burner or over a gas stove flame. Roll up your sleeves and make sure other clothing is away from all hot stove elements.
Smoke alarms can save your life! Make sure your smoke alarm works! Ask a family member or friend to help you with:
- Install a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home and in each bedroom. Ask a friend to test the smoke alarm monthly to make sure it works and that it is loud enough to wake you up. If it can't wake you - it can't save you!
- Never disconnect your smoke alarm for any reason.
Plan & practice your fire escape route!
- Plan and practice your fire escape plan. Knowing what to do when there is an emergency will reduce panic and may save your life!
- Make sure you know how to open and unlock all your doors and windows. Know two way out of each room and each level of your home.
- GET OUT & STAY OUT - NEVER go back in a burning building!
- Get Down, Stay Low - the air closest to the floor will be the freshest during a fire. Crouch or crawl to the nearest exit, keep your hand against a wall for guidance and feel any door with the BACK of your hand before opening it.
- If the door or door handle feels hot, take an alternate route. If it is cool, open the door slowly and crouch with the door against your slow. Be ready to close it if heat and smoke rushes in.
Stop, Drop, & Roll
- If your clothes catch on fire, stop where you are cover your face with your hands and roll back and forth to put the fire out.
First Aid for burns
- Run cool water over the burned are for 5 to 10 minutes to east the pain and prevent further skin damage. Go to a doctor or call 911 for a severe burn.
A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults, was developed by NFPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults live safely at home for as long as possible.
Fact: Adults 65 or older are twice as likely to be killed or injured by falls or fires compared to the rest of the population.
Fact: Adults age 65 and over make up 30% of falls in the U.S. which is a leading cause to unintentional death and injury in the home.
Fact: Adults age 65 and over make up 12% of the population in the U.S. and that number is increasing.
Remembering When is centered around 16 key safety messages – eight fire prevention and eight fall prevention - developed by experts from national and local safety organizations as well as through focus group testing in high-fire-risk states. The program was designed to be implemented by a coalition comprising the local fire department, service clubs, social and religious organizations, retirement communities, and others. Coalition members can decide how to best approach the local senior population: through group presentations, during home visits, and/or as part of a smoke alarm installation and fall intervention program. This refreshed version of the Remembering When program targets a range of older adults and is meant to be appealing to active seniors. Updates to the program include clear messages, new photography, and current statistics.
Check out the Remembering When website for a complete guide on Senior Citizen safety, program guide, safety checklist, message cards, and much more.
Smoking and misuse of space heaters are the leading cause of death and inury in older adults. Try the following tips on how to be fire-safe.
Why are older adults at risk? Seniors are at a greater risk because they are home alone and there is no one close if the need help. They may also have disabilities or be on medications that impair their mobility or ability to make a quick decision. Many seniors also do not know what to do in case of a fire.
- Never smoke in bed, you might accidentally set clothing, newspapers, or bedding on fire. Keep smoking areas to the kitchen or living room.
- Don't run electrical cords under rugs and avoid using extension cords on electric blankets or space heaters.
- Do not use a dish towel as a potholder, they may come in contact with a burner and catch on fire.
- Loose clothing can catch on fire by accidentally touching an electric burner or over a gas stove flame. Roll up your sleeves and make sure other clothing is away from all hot stove elements.
Smoke alarms can save your life! Make sure your smoke alarm works! Ask a family member or friend to help you with:
- Install a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home and in each bedroom. Ask a friend to test the smoke alarm monthly to make sure it works and that it is loud enough to wake you up. If it can't wake you - it can't save you!
- Never disconnect your smoke alarm for any reason.
Plan & practice your fire escape route!
- Plan and practice your fire escape plan. Knowing what to do when there is an emergency will reduce panic and may save your life!
- Make sure you know how to open and unlock all your doors and windows. Know two way out of each room and each level of your home.
- GET OUT & STAY OUT - NEVER go back in a burning building!
- Get Down, Stay Low - the air closest to the floor will be the freshest during a fire. Crouch or crawl to the nearest exit, keep your hand against a wall for guidance and feel any door with the BACK of your hand before opening it.
- If the door or door handle feels hot, take an alternate route. If it is cool, open the door slowly and crouch with the door against your slow. Be ready to close it if heat and smoke rushes in.
Stop, Drop, & Roll
- If your clothes catch on fire, stop where you are cover your face with your hands and roll back and forth to put the fire out.
First Aid for burns
- Run cool water over the burned are for 5 to 10 minutes to east the pain and prevent further skin damage. Go to a doctor or call 911 for a severe burn.
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