Senior Tips

Prevent Fire - Save Lives

A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus

Fire Safety Facts For People 50-Plus

Each year, approximately 1,100 Americans ages 65 and older die as a result of a home fire.
Compared to the rest of the U. S. population:

• People between 65 and 74 are nearly TWICE as likely to die in a fire.

• People between 75 and 84 are nearly FOUR times as likely to die in a fire.

• People ages 85 and older are more than FIVE times as likely to die in a fire.

With a few simple steps, older people can dramatically reduce their risk of death and injury from
fire. These facts, combined with the knowledge that adults ages 50 and older are entering and
caring for this high risk group, inspired the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and part of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, to develop a national public safety campaign for adults ages 5 0 and older, their families
and caregivers. USFA encourages you to:

Practice fire-safe behaviors when smoking,
cooking and heating. Maintain smoke alarms,
develop and practice a fire escape plan, and if
possible, install home fire sprinklers.

Sitting in your favorite chair and having a cigarette
after dinner seems to some like a great way to
relax - but cigarettes and relaxing can be a deadly
mix. Falling asleep while smoking can ignite
clothing, rugs and other materials used in upholstered furniture. Using alcohol and medications
that make you sleepy compound this hazard.

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire
deaths and the second leading cause of injuries
among people ages 65 and older. Cigarettes when
not properly extinguished continue to burn. When
a resting cigarette is accidentally knocked over, it
can smolder for hours before a flare-up occurs.
Before you light your next cigarette, remember:

• Put your cigarette or cigar out at the first sign
of feeling drowsy while watching television or
reading.

Cook Safely

Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time
together, but it can be one of the most hazardous
rooms in the house if you don't practice safe
cooking behaviors. Cooking is the third leading
cause of fire deaths and the leading cause of
injury among people ages 65 and older.

It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to
wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves),
walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or
leave flammable materials, such as potholders or
paper towels, around the stove. Whether you are
cooking the family holiday dinner or a snack for
the grandchildren:

• Never leave cooking unattended. A serious fire
can start in just seconds.

• Always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when
you cook. Keep towels, pot holders and curtains
away from flames.

• Never use the range or oven to heat your home.

• Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed
or leave the house.

you grab a good book and cozy up to the fireplace,
make sure you do the following:

• Keep fire in the fireplace by making sure you have
a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and
rolling logs.

• Space heaters need space. Keep flammable
materials at least three feet away from heaters.

• When buying a space heater, look for a control
feature that automatically shuts off the power if
the heater falls over.

The "Get Out Alive" Home Fire Safety Steps

• Smoke Alarms: Install a smoke alarm on every
level of your home, test batteries every month
and change them at least once a year.

• Home Fire Escape Plan: Develop and practice
a fire escape plan regularly, at least twice a year.
Keep exits dear of debris.

• Home Fire Sprinklers: If at all possible, install
residential sprinklers in your home.