1. Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults

2. Remembering When What Led Zeppelin Song Could Have Used Some Fall Safety Messages? nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

3. Remembering When Basic Goal: To help older adults live safely in their home for as long as possible. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

4. Remembering When Two Components: 8 Fire Prevention Messages 8 Fall Prevention Messages nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

5. Remembering When The 16 Messages are delivered through Group Presentations Home Visits 5

6. Remembering When: Delivered By A Community-Based Team Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Educators Retirement Communities Home Health Professionals Religious/Civic Organizations Benefactors nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

7. It Works! It’s Free!!!! 7

8. The 8 Fire Prevention Messages

9. Older adults are more likely to die in a home fire than young people. In 2009, people 65 and over made up only 13% of the U.S. population, but accounted for 30% of home fire deaths. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen Home Structure Fire Civilian Deaths & Injuries, by Age Group: 2007-2011 Annual Average

10. If you smoke, smoke outside. SMOKING is the Leading Cause of older adult home fire deaths. About half of all fatal home smoking material victims are 65 or older. Almost 10% of smokers whose smoking started reported home fires were using oxygen. Fire Message 1 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

11. 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, continued nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

12. 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 the room or go to bed. Fire Message 2 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

13. Stay in the kitchen when frying food. Never leave any cooking food unattended. Wear short or form-fitting sleeves. 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 when drowsy from alcohol or medication. Cool a first-degree (no blister) burn with cool water for 3 to 5 minutes. Fire Message 3 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

14. Stop, Drop, & Roll. If your clothes catch on fire: STOP, 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. Call 9-1-1 right away for: Blistered burns. Burns covering more than 10% of the body’s surface area. Burns on the face or genitals. Burns encircling the hands or feet. Fire Message 4 DROP STOP and ROLL….Over and Over nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

15. Stop, Drop, & Roll. If you use a wheelchair, scooter, or other device and are able to get to the floor, lock the device first before getting out and then roll until the flames are out. If you cannot drop and roll, keep a blanket or towel nearby to smother flames. If you are a bystander, consider grabbing a rug, blanket, or fire blanket to help extinguish the flames. Fire Message 4, continued DROP STOP and ROLL….Over and Over nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

16. Smoke alarms save lives. Have smoke alarms on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Interconnected alarms are best. When one sounds they all sound. Make sure everyone can hear the smoke alarms. Have someone test your smoke alarms once a month. Replace all alarms that are 10 years old or older. Fire Message 5 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

17. Plan and practice your escape from fire. If possible, have 2 ways out of every room and 2 ways out of the home. Make sure windows and doors open easily. If the alarm sounds, get outside to your pre-arranged meeting place and stay there. Every second counts! Fire Message 6 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

18. Know your local emergency number. In Texas, it’s 9-1-1. Escape the fire, then call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone or a mobile phone. Fire Message 7 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen Why is it important to escape first and then call for help?

19. 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 short- term supply or list of medications, glasses, walker, scooter, or cane. Maybe a medical alert device. Fire Message 8 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

20. Fall Prevention Messages

21. Preventable Fall Injuries in Older Adults nfpa.org/rememberingwhen Falls are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries, and hospital admissions for trauma. In 2010: 2.3 million older adults were treated in emergency departments. More than 662,000 of these patients were hospitalized. Falls usually are not true “accidents.” They can be prevented.

22. Falls Can Create a Vicious Cycle. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen A fall often increases an older adult’s fear of falling, even if they are not injured. 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.

23. Exercise Regularly. Exercise, such as walking, builds strength and improves coordination and balance. Talk with your doctor about the best physical exercise for you. Fall Message 1 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

24. 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 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever tripped over in your home?

25. Keep walking areas & stairs clear. Be sure to remove: electrical cords shoes clothing books & magazines Any other clutter nfpa.org/rememberingwhen Fall Message 3 How can you get your housemates to help keep the stairs clear?

26. 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. Poor vision can increase your chance of tripping and falling. Keep flashlights or battery-operated lanterns close by. Fall Message 4 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

27. Use non-slip mats in the bathtub. Use non-slip mats on shower floors. Use a bath seat. Have grab bars correctly installed on the wall in the tub and shower and next to the toilet. Keep bathroom floor dry. Wipe up spills immediately. Fall Message 5 A nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

28. 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 whenever available. Fall Message 6 A nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

29. Stairways should be well lit. Stairways should be well lit from top to bottom. Both sides of the stairs should have easy- to-grip handrails along the stairs’ full length. Fall Message 7 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

30. Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes Safety trumps fashion. Low-heeled shoes with non- slip soles are best. These are safer than high heels, thick-soled athletic shoes, slippers, or stocking feet. Fall Message 8 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

31. Spreading Remembering When’s Messages Group Presentations One-on-One / Home Visits 31 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

32. Group Presentations The 16 Fire & Fall Prevention Messages should be the MAIN FOCUS of the Group Presentation. Involve the audience! The Remembering When Trivia Game Makes Fire and Fall Safety Education FUN. 32 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

33. Remembering When Group Presentations Every audience is different. Research and plan accordingly. Don’t just wing it! Have a schedule. Remembering When is a versatile toolkit. Pick and use the tools you need. 33 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

34. Remembering When Support Materials The 16 message cards Home Safety Checklist Fire and Fall Prevention Fliers Safety Tips sheets (High-rise, disabilities) Trivia Game cards 34 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

35. Sample Group Presentation Lesson Plan 1 Hour Presentation: Introduction (5 minutes) Icebreaker / discussion (10 min.) 16 behaviors using props from the prop box (25 min.) Play Trivia game as a review of the material (10 min.) Questions, Wrap-up, and door prizes (10 min.) nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

36. 36 The Prop Box

37. Group Presentations: The Trivia Game The Remembering When Trivia Game Makes Fire and Fall Safety Education Fun. Like a TV Game Show; Family Feud, for instance. Attendees Divide Into Competing Teams. Popular-Culture Trivia Questions Followed by Fire and Fall Safety Bonus Questions. Prizes, Prizes, Prizes! 37 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

38. 38 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen Younger Older Adults, Older Adults Editions

39. Home Visits Core Behavior Lesson: Smoke Alarms Save Lives Check for and test smoke alarms. Demonstrate how and when to test smoke alarms. Check placement of existing alarms. Perfect time to get your local fire department involved. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

40. One-on-One Visits: Sample One-time, 10-Minute Visit Introduction, along with observational assessment & mental notes upon arrival. Address obvious hazards. Discuss core behavior: Smoke Alarms Save Lives. Discuss a relevant fall prevention behavior: (E.G.) Keep stairs & walking areas free of clutter. Wrap up with resident(s)’ fire/fall safety goal. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

41. Home Visits nfpa.org/rememberingwhen The Home Safety Checklist: In English and Spanish

42. Home Visits nfpa.org/rememberingwhen DADS Surveyors will accept the home checklist as documentation of assessment of a home.

43. Home Visits nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

44. Why the name, Remembering When? “When” Nostalgia activates prior knowledge about fire and fall related situations. The question “What kinds of food did your mother or grandparent cook for you?” leads to “Did she ever burn herself?” and “How did she treat the burns?” followed by a discussion about preventing kitchen fires. Remembering When triggers the idea that personal actions can reduce the risk of fire and fall related injuries. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

45. Why the name, Remembering When? Those actions are simple behaviors to Remember. –When I am cooking, I remember to wear short sleeves. –When I am walking the dog, I remember to be on the lookout for uneven walking surfaces. Age-based trivia questions during the Trivia Game help to trigger “Memories” that can be used to promote safe behavior. nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

46. http://www.nfpa.org/rememberingwhen 46 nfpa.org/rememberingwhen

47. For more information and help starting a Remembering When program of your own, contact: Richard Zelade, 512-676-6799 richard.zelade@tdi.texas.gov Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office Thank you! nfpa.org/rememberingwhen