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| April 2009 |  |
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id you know that older adults are more vulnerable than any other age
group to injuries from home fires? It’s a fact, says the New
York City Fire Department. But people can and have saved their own
lives and the lives of others by following simple precautions. Here’s
some important fire safety information from the NYFD to share with
your older relatives and their caregivers—and to be aware of
yourself.In the kitchen Cooking accidents are the leading cause of home fires. Stand by your pan: don’t leave cooking food unattended. Use extra caution when deep-frying. Turn pot handles inward. Avoid long, loose sleeves. They are more likely to catch fire or get caught on handles. Cook at low to medium temperature settings. Clean cooking equipment regularly so there’s no build-up of grease or food materials. In case of a fire, turn off the stove. Slide the lid onto a pan. Use baking soda or salt—not water—to extinguish flames. Do not try to carry away a burning pan. Beware of smoking materials Smoking is a health hazard in so many ways and is the leading cause of home fires that kill older people. If your relative is a smoker, make sure that he or she uses large, deep, non-tip ashtrays and observes the following: Before going to bed or leaving the house, make sure there are no butts smoldering on or under upholstery. Douse cigarette butts with water before discarding them. Never smoke while lying down, especially if you’ve taken medication that makes you sleep or feel drowsy. Don’t set an ashtray on the arm of a couch or chair. Prevent electrical fires Use light bulbs with appropriate wattage for the size of the fixture. Bulbs with too many watts can overheat and burn a lampshade. Do not plug more than two appliances into an outlet or “piggyback” extra appliances on extension cords or wall outlets. Extension cords should be for temporary use. Don’t run them under rugs or hang one from a nail. If an outlet or switch plate feels hot to the touch, unplug the cord and have a qualified electrician check your wiring. If an appliance smells different, makes unusual sounds or the cord feels warm, pull the plug and discontinue use. If it starts or continues to burn or smoke, call your local fire deparment (911). Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) mark when purchasing an appliance. It shows that a product has been safety tested. An electric space heater should have both a UL mark and automatic shut-off feature. Keep a space heater at least three feet from any combustible material, including furniture and bedding. Never put a space heater on top of furniture or on a counter—and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
It’s best to warm the bed and then turn the blanket off before getting in. Don’t use an electric blanket that is wet, soiled, wrinkled or has a frayed cord—or is more than 10 years old. If you get a new one, make sure it has the UL mark. Avoid putting other blankets or comforters on top of an electric blanket while it is in use. Don’t tuck an electric blanket in at the sides of the bed. Have an escape plan The safest place to sleep in a multistory home is on the ground floor near an exit. If you live in an apartment, be aware of exit stairwells. Keep stairways and exits clutter-free. Keep a telephone, eyeglasses and hearing aid next to your bed. Make sure a lamp or light switch is within reach. Practice unlocking and opening windows, security gates and doors. Window guards should be approved by your fire department. Do not try to fight a fire. Go out and stay out. Close the door. Don’t try to collect any belongings. If smoke is present, exit as low to the ground as possible and cover your mouth. If you are trapped, close all doors between you and the fire, call 911 and say exactly where you are located. Do not use an elevator. If any part of you or your clothing catches fire, cover your face with your hands. Drop to the ground and roll over and over. Ensure early warning in case of fire Have at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Replace batteries in the spring and fall when you change clocks for daylight saving time. A chirping alarm is a warning of a low battery. For the hearing impaired, install smoke alarms with high-density strobe lights. Install smoke alarms that allow you to silence the unit for 10-15 minutes while you clear the air. Some smoke alarms can also be temporarily silenced and tested by using a TV remote. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the most reliable for smoldering fires that typically occur in bedrooms or sitting rooms.  |
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