Seniors and Fire Safety

Seniors and Fire Safety

This article is designed to inform seniors and their caregivers about fire safety. It’s a fact that older adults, those ages 65 and greater, die in home fires far more often than the rest of the population. However, this first of a three part series will help you retire fire by taking care of yourself and influencing others (such as your neighbors, friends and family) about fire safety.

According to the 2000 United States Census, in Euclid, there were 9,657 households with a person at least 65 years old.  This represents almost 40% of all Euclid households! Additionally, nearly 20% of Euclid’s population is age 65 or over. The EFD is committed to providing our seniors and their caregivers with accurate data that will help protect them from the dangers of fire. 

The topics in this issue will cover how to prevent smoking fires, electrical fires, and home heating fires. 

Preventing Smoking Fires: According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading cause of fire death in the home of a senior is caused by smoking. Other contributing factors include heating equipment such as space heaters, and cooking equipment. 

Smokers are seven times more likely than non-smokers to be fire victims. Smoking materials are the #1 cause of home fires that kill seniors. If you or others in your home smoke, prevent fires before they start. The best practice is to not smoke in your home. Other tips include the following:

1. Use large, deep, non-tip ashtrays. Never leave a lighted cigarette in an ashtray or leave an ashtray on the arm of a couch or chair.
2. Before going to bed or going out, check between, on, and under upholstery and cushions for cigarette butts that may be smoldering
3. Douse cigarette butts completely with water before discarding them.
4. Make it a rule to NEVER smoke in bed or while lying down. This is especially true if you are taking medication that makes you drowsy.
5. NEVER permit smoking around the storage or use of an oxygen tank or oxygen tubing.

Preventing Electrical Fires:

In today’s world, we rely heavily on electricity to power many of life’s necessities. Electricity powers our homes so we can live in comfort. As a house ages, so does the wiring within. Proper use and maintenance is very important. We’d like to offer some helpful suggestions that will prevent electrical fires in your home:

1. Use light bulbs with appropriate wattage for the size of the light fixture. A bulb with too many watts may lead to overheating and fire.
2. Use extension cords for temporary use only.
3. Protect all electrical cords from damage. Do not run cords under carpet or rugs, or hang them from nails.
4. Never use an appliance with a damaged or frayed cord.
5. To prevent overloading, never plug more than two appliances into an outlet at once.
6. Ensure that outlets and switch plates are in good condition. If the outlet or plate is hot to the touch, immediately unplug the cord and have a qualified electrician check your wiring.
7. If an appliance develops a different smell, makes unusual sounds or the cord feels warm to the touch, unplug the cord and do not use the appliance. If the appliance continues to burn or smoke call 9-1-1.

Preventing Home Heating Fires:

As a way to save money during the winter heating season, many of us turn down our thermostats to use less natural gas. Instead, we turn to other forms of heat to keep us warm. Two very popular home heating devices less expensive than natural gas are space heaters and electric blankets. Both are perfectly fine when used properly and safely. If either is used improperly, the risk of fire increases significantly. Here are some tips for using space heaters safely:

1. When purchasing a space heater, look for heaters with an automatic shut-off feature.
2. Only use equipment that has an Underwriters Laboratories (“UL”) mark. This shows that the product has been safety tested.
3. Give space heaters space. Place the heater at least 3 feet from any combustible material, such as bedding and furniture.
4. Keep young children and pets away from space heaters.
5. It’s normal for heater cords to become warm during use. Stop using the heater if the cord becomes hot.
6. NEVER use an extension cord to power a space heater.
7. Place the heater on the floor and never position the space heater on a countertop or furniture.
8. Turn off or unplug the space heater whenever you leave the room or go to sleep.

The following tips will help you use electric blankets safely:

1. Only use equipment that has an Underwriters Laboratories (“UL”) mark. This shows that the product has been safety tested.
2. Do not use blankets that have damaged or frayed cords.
3. Avoid tucking the electric blanket in at the sides of the bed. This can cause excessive heat build-up. 
4. Avoid placing other blankets on top of an electric blanket while in use.
5. Never use an electric blanket that is wet, soiled, or wrinkled.
6. Wash your electric blanket infrequently, because repeated washings can damage the electrical circuitry.

In the second part of this series, we’ll pass on tips to prevent kitchen fires and injuries, treating a burn, and clothing fires. Until then, be safe and call us if you need us.  We’ll be there!