Fire Safety in the Home for Elderly People

Fire safety in the home for elderly people

Older adults are at an increased risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities. They are twice as likely to die in a fire and four times as likely to be injured than other age groups.

Elderly people may need assistance to take the necessary precautions to prevent or respond to a fire, which can be difficult for them to do alone. Family members are often in the best position to help their aging loved one put these precautions into place.

Know your risks: Make sure your elderly relatives have a smoke alarm fitted on every floor of their home, in their bedrooms and near sleeping areas. These should be tested regularly and batteries replaced when they are due to expire.

Smoking and electrical equipment can cause fires in older homes. This should be addressed in educational programs directing fire safety knowledge to seniors.

Prevent smoking in the home: Never use a cigarette or lighter when using medical oxygen or if you have a lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). panic alarms Also, keep your ashtrays out of reach of children and never leave a burning cigarette on the floor.





Be alert when cooking: Always stand by the pot or pan and watch it closely. Seniors who are on drowsy medications, alcohol or have a heart condition are at increased risk of fires and burns during cooking.

Stop, drop and roll: If you are unable to escape from your home on your own, lower yourself to the ground, cover your eyes with a cloth and roll over and over to extinguish the flames.