Fire Safety Tips for Seniors

One of the groups of people most at risk of being affected by a house fire is adults age 65 or older. Older adults, in particular, need to follow fire safety practices, have reliable fire alarms, and rehearse fire escape plans. These precautions become even more critical for those with vision, hearing, mobility or cognitive issues. Having a plan for quick, decisive actions that prioritize escape is of utmost importance. Precious time can be lost without a plan of what to do and where to go. These tips can help you devise a plan for your home or your aging loved one’s home.

Home Fire Causes and Risks

The causes of residential fires are as common as cooking accidents, unattended lit cigarettes and candles, bad wiring, and faulty or negligent use of space heaters. Wildfires that spread are also becoming more common as more residences impinge on forested areas. Most home exteriors and interiors contain highly flammable materials, which means that once a fire starts, the chance of it spreading is great, minus any fire suppression systems. Being prepared and having a plan can help avoid potential injury or loss of life.

Residential Fire Prevention and Safety Tips for Seniors

Most residential fires are preventable by following fire safety protocols. The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration offer prevention and safety tips that apply to everyone but have special applications to seniors:

• Every room should have a working smoke alarm—at the very least, every sleeping room and the area outside sleeping rooms.
  • Place smoke alarms at least 10 feet from a stove or bathroom since smoke from cooking or steam from the shower can set off the alarm.
  • Interconnected smoke alarms offer maximum protection—when one alarm sounds, they all do.
  • Test alarms monthly to ensure they’re in good working order, and if not, replace the batteries or the entire unit. If you have a sealed alarm, you do not need to change the battery each year.
  • Replace the entire unit every 10 years or sooner if it does not sound when you push the test button.
• If anyone in your household is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration to alert of a fire emergency, or look into pillow or bed shaker products that activate when a smoke alarm sounds.
• Keep a charged phone near you, especially where you sleep, along with emergency/rescue contact numbers so you can call or text for help if you become trapped inside.
• Keep eyeglasses, keys and hearing aids within easy reach.
• If you reside in an apartment building or nursing home, make sure there is a working automatic sprinkler system.
• Fire drills are necessary to ensure everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to get out; fire drills may seem silly, but they can make a difference.
• Make sure all doors and windows can be easily and quickly opened from the inside; if any potential emergency exits like these are sealed or nailed shut, open them yourself or have an expert do it.
• Know and practice two ways to exit every room, and practice your home fire escape drill.
• Clear all clutter that may block your escape route or make you trip or fall.
• If you live in an apartment, use the stairs to escape, not the elevator.
• Have an outside meeting spot a safe distance from the front of your home where first responders can see you.
• Plan your escape around your abilities. If you use a wheelchair or walker or may have problems escaping from your home, plan ahead and let your fire department, family, building manager or neighbors know.

Home Fire Safety Tips for Those With Diminished Capacities

For those situations where an older adult has vision, hearing, mobility or dementia/cognitive issues that may hinder their ability to escape smoke and fire, there needs to be a designated person who sees to it that the correct steps are taken in a fire emergency, and the impaired individual gets out safely. If there’s no designated person, inform neighbors, building managers and fire rescue services of the situation.

If you feel an older loved one living alone may not be able to recognize or respond to an emergency, make sure they have a medical alert system and perhaps find them an able live-in companion or move them to a supervised center.

Senior Cooking Safety Tips

Cooking is the top cause of home fires. Burn injuries from cooking are another hazard seniors face. Seniors particularly need to be mindful of the following:

• Don’t leave the kitchen when cooking food; if you must leave the kitchen, make it a short break and turn off the stove or other cooking appliances.
• Regularly check any cooking food. Consider using a timer to remind you there’s something on.
• Keep a lid nearby when cooking, so if a fire starts in a pan or pot, you can slide the lid over the cooking vessel and turn off the burner.
• Turn pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove to help prevent knocking pots and pans to the floor.
• Regularly clean your oven and stovetop to help prevent any smoke or flare-ups.
• Stow anything that can ignite or burn, such as oven mitts, paper towels and cooking oils. Take care with loose-fitting clothes near open flames.
• Check the kitchen after you finish cooking to make sure all cooking appliances are off.
• Be especially cautious of cooking if feeling sleepy or after taking medications or drinking alcohol.

General Home Fire Safety Tips for Seniors

Unattended lit candles and cigarettes, improper use of home heating appliances, and electrical wiring/extension cords in disrepair are common causes of home fires. Here are tips to consider for prevention:

• Candles and smoking:
  • Only burn candles when you are in the room, and use sturdy holders with glass containers to contain flames.
  • Always use a flashlight—not a candle—for emergency lighting.
  • Never light candles when tired or sleepy or use candles in bedrooms.
  • Never have open flames or cigarettes near medical oxygen!
  • Use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
  • Make sure cigarette butts and ashes are completely cool before throwing them out; put them in water or a can filled with sand.
• Heating appliances:
  • If using a space heater, consider choosing one with an automatic shut-off in case it tips over.
  • Never use an oven, stovetop or grill to heat your home.
  • Have a qualified professional install heating equipment, and ask a professional to inspect your heating system annually.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms as needed and test them annually.
• Electrical:
  • Have a licensed electrician check your electrical system if you have frequent blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
  • Don’t overload electrical circuits; regularly tripped breakers or repeatedly blown fuses usually mean the circuit is overloaded.
  • Avoid using extension cords. Replace appliances that have cracked, damaged or loose electrical cords.

What To Do in the Event of a Fire

Sometimes, no matter what home safety and prevention tips you implement, a home fire may happen. Experts recommend the following:

• If a fire starts, stay calm and get out.
• If you are in an enclosed room when a fire starts, feel the doorknob and the cracks around the door before opening. Leave the door closed if you feel any heat, and use your second way out.
• Close doors as you exit to help stop the spread of fire.
• If you must escape through the smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.
• If you can’t get out, keep the door of your room closed and cover vents and cracks with cloth or tape to keep smoke out.
• If you can’t get out and there’s a phone in the room, call 911 or your local emergency number for your fire department; stay where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or flashlight.

Last but not least, consider homeowners or renters insurance. Make sure you have it and that it fully covers the replacement or repair of your residence and belongings and any relocation resulting from a fire.

How Right at Home Can Help

Many families hire professional in-home care to help keep older loved ones safe at home. A trained, professional caregiver can help remove fall hazards, safely prepare meals, or supervise cooking for clients who may need a little extra assistance. A caregiver can also be alert to other potential safety hazards in the home. To find out more, use our office locator to contact your local aging expert, who is familiar with helping seniors age in place safely. We also offer a FREE Aging-in-Place Guide with more home safety tips.