FIRE SAFETY FOR OLDER AMERICANS Visually impaired or Blind Deaf or Hard of Hearing Mobility Impaired Visually impaired or Blind Deaf or Hard of Hearing Mobility Impaired South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal Public Fire Education and Data Management South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal Public Fire Education and Data Management

SC Fire Fatalities

SC Fire Fatalities in Older Adults

Leading Cause of Fire Fatalities and Injuries in Older Americans

Objectives: Participants will recognize the increased fire risk for older Americans and address safety issues in three primary areas: Before Fire Strikes: What You Need To Do What To Do During A Fire General Fire Safety & Prevention Tips Before Fire Strikes: What You Need To Do What To Do During A Fire General Fire Safety & Prevention Tips

Why?… The aging process may limit ability to move quickly in an emergency situation Medications may further impact mobility Many people live alone The aging process may limit ability to move quickly in an emergency situation Medications may further impact mobility Many people live alone

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself? PREPARE before a fire occurs to reduce risks KNOW WHAT TO DO if a fire does occur PRACTICE good fire safety habits PREPARE before a fire occurs to reduce risks KNOW WHAT TO DO if a fire does occur PRACTICE good fire safety habits

I. How to Prepare Before A Fire Strikes

Install Smoke Alarms The Smoke that can kill you can also save your life by activating a smoke alarm

For maximum protection, an alarm should be installed in every room, but especially in sleeping rooms and between sleeping and living areas, and on every level of your home Refer to manufacturer’s guidelines for installation For maximum protection, an alarm should be installed in every room, but especially in sleeping rooms and between sleeping and living areas, and on every level of your home Refer to manufacturer’s guidelines for installation

Avoid installing in dead-air spaces in corners. Test alarms monthly Clean alarms periodically Avoid installing in dead-air spaces in corners. Test alarms monthly Clean alarms periodically

If you are hearing impaired... Strobe lights or vibratory smoke alarms are available Keep a TTY/TDD or phone next to your bed along with emergency telephone numbers Involve the fire department in preparing your exit plan Strobe lights or vibratory smoke alarms are available Keep a TTY/TDD or phone next to your bed along with emergency telephone numbers Involve the fire department in preparing your exit plan

In South Carolina, your landlord is responsible for installing smoke alarms in all rental property In South Carolina, your landlord is responsible for installing smoke alarms in all rental property

SMOKE ALARMS MORE THAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVING A FIRE… Install yours today!

Prepare an Escape Plan

Your Escape Plan Should: Identify two ways out of each room Designate a meeting place outside Identify a method for contacting the fire department from outside your home Identify two ways out of each room Designate a meeting place outside Identify a method for contacting the fire department from outside your home

. While developing your plan, consider the following: If you use a wheelchair or walker, make sure all exit routes will allow you to pass through If special impairments could prevent you from escaping, talk to your local fire department to get advice for your particular circumstance If you use a wheelchair or walker, make sure all exit routes will allow you to pass through If special impairments could prevent you from escaping, talk to your local fire department to get advice for your particular circumstance

II. During the Fire In the unfortunate event of your home catching fire, KNOW WHAT TO DO In the unfortunate event of your home catching fire, KNOW WHAT TO DO

GET OUT and STAY OUT! Leave as soon as possible Don’t waste time collecting valuables and memorabilia Leave as soon as possible Don’t waste time collecting valuables and memorabilia

If Smoke is Present Stay Low Under the Smoke The air nearest to the floor is the cleanest. If physically unable to crawl, cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing toxic fumes and make your way to safety as quickly as possible Stay Low Under the Smoke The air nearest to the floor is the cleanest. If physically unable to crawl, cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing toxic fumes and make your way to safety as quickly as possible

Test Doors Before Opening Determine whether it is safe to exit through the door or whether you should use your alternate exit Use the back of your hand, reach up high, and touch the door, doorknob and the space between the door and the frame Determine whether it is safe to exit through the door or whether you should use your alternate exit Use the back of your hand, reach up high, and touch the door, doorknob and the space between the door and the frame

If You Become Trapped Don’t Panic Close all doors between you and the fire Fill cracks in doors and cover vents with damp cloth Call the Fire Department and tell them where you are located Signal rescuers from a window Don’t Panic Close all doors between you and the fire Fill cracks in doors and cover vents with damp cloth Call the Fire Department and tell them where you are located Signal rescuers from a window

If Your Clothes Catch Fire Stop, Drop and Roll Cover your face with your hands, drop to the ground, rolling over and over to smother the fire. If you are unable to conduct these actions, use a blanket, rug, or other material to smother any flames. Stop, Drop and Roll Cover your face with your hands, drop to the ground, rolling over and over to smother the fire. If you are unable to conduct these actions, use a blanket, rug, or other material to smother any flames.

General Fire Prevention and Safety

Electric Space Heaters

Electric Space Heaters, cont. Use adequate wiring and sufficient outlet voltage Should be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory Should have an automatic shut-off feature / switch Use adequate wiring and sufficient outlet voltage Should be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory Should have an automatic shut-off feature / switch

Electric Space Heaters, cont. Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away Keep children and pets away from heater Avoid using extension cords Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away Keep children and pets away from heater Avoid using extension cords

Fireplace Safety

Service annually to check for cracks, creosote build-up, and other defects Never use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start fire Keep a screen or tempered glass door in front of fireplace to prevent sparks from flying Service annually to check for cracks, creosote build-up, and other defects Never use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start fire Keep a screen or tempered glass door in front of fireplace to prevent sparks from flying Fireplaces, cont.

Wood Burning Stoves

Wood Burning Stoves, cont. Top chimneys with spark guard Tested by nationally recognized testing laboratory, (UL Listed) and follow manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and installation Use adequate ventilation Top chimneys with spark guard Tested by nationally recognized testing laboratory, (UL Listed) and follow manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and installation Use adequate ventilation

Kerosene Heaters

Kerosene Heaters, cont. Should have safety shut-off valve Use only pure kerosene Never operate unattended Refill unit outside Should have safety shut-off valve Use only pure kerosene Never operate unattended Refill unit outside

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety, cont. Inspect electrical cords for frayed or broken wires Don’t overload extension cords – keep them out of high-traffic areas Avoid over-washing electric blankets Inspect electrical cords for frayed or broken wires Don’t overload extension cords – keep them out of high-traffic areas Avoid over-washing electric blankets

Cooking Safety

Cooking safety, cont. Never leave stove unattended – NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE! Wear tight fitting clothes to prevent sleeves from catching fire Smother grease fires with a lid Turn pot handles to the inside Never leave stove unattended – NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE! Wear tight fitting clothes to prevent sleeves from catching fire Smother grease fires with a lid Turn pot handles to the inside

Other Factors Affecting Fire Risks with Older Americans Alcohol Medications/Drugs Smoking Alcohol Medications/Drugs Smoking

Careless Smoking… The #1 cause of fires in senior citizen communities, especially when combined with alcohol, illness, or fatigue The #1 cause of fires in senior citizen communities, especially when combined with alcohol, illness, or fatigue

Never smoke in bed - or allow anyone else If an oxygen source is nearby, don’t smoke Smoking while under the influence of Alcohol or other drugs may increase fire risk Use large deep-dish ashtrays Never smoke in bed - or allow anyone else If an oxygen source is nearby, don’t smoke Smoking while under the influence of Alcohol or other drugs may increase fire risk Use large deep-dish ashtrays

Check upholstered furniture for discarded or smoldering cigarettes before going to bed Douse ashtrays with water before emptying Check upholstered furniture for discarded or smoldering cigarettes before going to bed Douse ashtrays with water before emptying

In Review... Before the Fire: Have working smoke alarms and prepare and practice an escape plan. During a Fire: Stay low and go; test doors before opening, stop drop and roll if your clothes catch fire Practice general fire safety and prevention Before the Fire: Have working smoke alarms and prepare and practice an escape plan. During a Fire: Stay low and go; test doors before opening, stop drop and roll if your clothes catch fire Practice general fire safety and prevention