The Group Presentation Remembering When: A Fire & Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Copyright Information This presentation, including photos, artwork and copy, is a part of the total Remembering When Program™ available from the NFPA, to be used exclusively with the Remembering When Program. Please do not modify the content without permission. You may add local contact information without permission. Copyrighted 2013 National Fire Protection Association nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Remembering When™ A Fall and Fire Prevention Program for Older Adults Program Components: Group Presentations Home Visits 8 Fire Prevention Messages 8 Fall Prevention Messages Local Team Members: Fire and Life Safety Educator Home Health Professional nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Fire Prevention Messages nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Home Structure Fire Civilian Deaths & Injuries, by Age Group: Annual Average Older adults face a higher risk of dying in home fires than do young people. In 2009, people 65 and over made up only 13% of the U.S. population, but they accounted for 30% of the home fire deaths. nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

If you smoke, smoke outside. Use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Wet cigarette butts and ashes before throwing them out. Never smoke in bed. Never smoke if medical oxygen is used in the home. Fire Message #1 Is it easy to convince a smoker to smoke outside? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Give space heaters space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn – including you. Shut off and unplug heaters when you leave or go to bed. Fire Message #2 What are some items that might be left too close to a space heater? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Stay in the kitchen when frying food. Never leave cooking unattended. Wear short or form-fitting sleeves when cooking. Use oven mitts to handle hot pans. If a pan of food catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner. Don’t cook if you are drowsy from alcohol or medication. Fire Message #3 nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Stop, Drop, & Roll. If your clothes catch on fire: Stop (don’t run), Drop gently to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth to put out the fire. Use cool water for 3 to 5 minutes to cool a burn. Get medical help right away. Fire Message #4 DROP STOP and ROLL….Over and Over How can you help someone if they cannot drop to the ground? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Interconnected alarms are the best option. When one sounds they all sound. Make sure everyone can hear the smoke alarms. Have someone test your smoke alarms once a month. Fire Message #5 What strategy do you use to remind yourself to test the smoke alarm? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Plan and practice your escape from fire. If possible, know two ways out of every room in your home and two ways out of the home. Make sure windows and doors open easily. If the alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Fire Message #6 nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Know your local emergency number. It may be or the fire department’s phone number. Once you have escaped a fire, call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone or a mobile phone. Fire Message #7 Why is it important to escape first and then call for help? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Plan your escape around your abilities. Have a telephone in your bedroom in case you are trapped by smoke or fire. Have other necessary items near your bed, such as a list of medications, glasses, walker, scooter, or cane. Fire Message #8 nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Questions about the Fire Messages? Let’s Review: What is the preferred message about smoking? Name some items that should be kept near the bedside… Share a tip you might give to help folks if they need to leave the stove while cooking… Why is it worthwhile to share fire safety messages with older adults? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Preventable Injuries in Older Adults: Falls A Vicious Cycle: A fall tends to increase an older adult’s fear of falling. This fear can lead to a decrease in activity. This leads to reduced mobility and fitness which, in turn, increases the risk of falling again. Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. In 2010, 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized. nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Fall Prevention Messages nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Exercise Regularly. Exercise builds strength and improves your coordination and balance. Tai Chi is an exercise that has been proven to help reduce fall risk. Ask your doctor about the best physical exercise for you. Fall Message #1 nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Take your time. Get out of chairs slowly. Sit a moment before you get out of your bed. Stand and get your balance before you walk. Be aware of your surroundings. Fall Message #2 What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever tripped over in your home? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Keep walking areas & stairs clear Be sure to remove: electrical cords shoes clothing books & magazines other clutter. How can you get your housemates to help keep the stairs clear? Fall Message #3 nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Improve the lighting around your home Use night lights to light the path between your bedroom and bathroom. Turn on the lights before using the stairs. See an eye specialist once a year. Fall Message #4 Shout out if you have motion sensor lighting outside your home. nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Use non-slip mats in the bathtub. Use non-slip mats on shower floors. Have grab bars installed on the wall in the tub and shower and next to the toilet. Wipe up spills immediately. Fall Message #5 A Did anyone recently remodel a bathroom? Did you install grab bars in the shower? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Be aware of uneven surfaces around the home Throw rugs must have rubber, non-skid backing. Smooth out wrinkles and folds in carpeting. Be aware of uneven sidewalks and pavement outdoors. Ask a friend to clear ice and snow from stairs and walkways. Use handrails when available. Fall Message #6 A nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Stairways should be well lit. Stairways should be well lit from both top and bottom. Have easy-to-grip handrails installed along the full length of both sides of the stairs. Fall Message #7 Which other fall messages help make stairways safer? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes Low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles are the best. These are safer than high heels, thick-soled athletic shoes, slippers, or stocking feet. Fall Message #8 nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Let’s Review: Name one change you can make in your own home to reduce your risk of falling. Why does regular exercise reduce one’s risk of being injured in a fall? Why is our fall prevention program targeted at folks age 65 and over? Questions about the Falls Messages nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

Moving forward What changes will you make in your home to be safe from fire and fall injuries? What questions do you have about today’s presentation? nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.

For more information, contact: Thank you! nfpa.org | © National Fire Protection Association. All rights reserved.