Fire Safety Tips for Family Caregivers

October is Fire Prevention Safety Month. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), people older than 65 are twice as likely to die or be seriously injured by home fires. Slower reflexes, vision loss, mobility problems and cognitive impairment make it harder to protect against a fire, and to deal with a fire, should one occur.

Here are three ways family caregivers can help:

1. Give your loved one’s home a fire safety inspection by considering these special circumstances:

• Be sure smoke alarms are installed, test them monthly, and replace batteries as recommended. If your loved one has hearing loss, choose a type of smoke alarm that uses a high-intensity flashing light, or a device that shakes the pillow or bed.
• If a loved one has mobility challenges and lives in a multi-story home, consider moving their bedroom to the first floor. This could make escape easier in the case of fire.
• If your loved one’s home has security bars, they should have an emergency release device to enable opening from inside.
• Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet away from bedding, drapes and anything else that can burn. Choose a space heater that automatically turns off if tipped over.
• If your loved one’s home has a fireplace, be sure it is regularly inspected. Use a metal mesh fireplace screen to keep sparks inside.
• Clear clutter. Piles of items could not only be a fire hazard, but also could block exit from the home.
• If your loved one smokes, remind them to never smoke in bed or anytime they are lying down. Ensure they are using large, deep, tip-resistant ashtrays on a flat surface. And never smoke near oxygen tanks. According to the NFPA, “There is no safe way to smoke in the home when oxygen is in use. No one should smoke in a home where a person is using oxygen.”

2. Make a fire safety plan with these things in mind:

• Be sure your loved one knows the best escape routes from every area of their home.
• If an older family member lives with you and has disabilities, conduct family fire drills to rehearse what to do in case of a fire. Designate an outdoor meeting place, and assign another member of the household to assist your loved one.
• Be sure your loved one has a phone nearby with important phone numbers from their emergency health checklist.

3. Give your loved one these important reminders:

• Unplug space heaters when not in use, and turn them off at bedtime.
• Avoid burning trash in the fireplace.
• Take care while cooking; if a pan of food catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner.

Clothing Reminders To Prevent Fires

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that almost 80% of deaths from clothing fires happen to older adults. “All clothing can burn,” say the CPSC experts. “And the loose clothing often favored by seniors can catch fire especially easily.”

Most clothing fires happen when an older adult is cooking and a dangling sleeve makes contact with the stove burner. CPSC data shows that many other clothing fires are caused by space heaters. Yard fires, such as grilling and burning trash, also cause clothing fires. And 23% of deaths from clothing fires were caused by smoking.

Seniors should learn what to do if this happens. While “stop, drop and roll” is the best way to extinguish a clothing fire, older adults may not be able to do this, and should instead use something like a blanket to put out the flames.

Prevent Holiday Fire-Related Accidents

We’re coming into the months fire safety experts call peak season for home fires. As the weather cools for much of the country, people are more likely to use their fireplace or space heaters. Even the holidays pose extra hazards—beginning this month with Halloween. It’s safer to use a battery-powered light or a glow stick than an open flame in the jack-o-lantern. Avoid flammable decorations.

Thanksgiving is the time when kitchen fires are most common. A kitchen full of cooks might be distracted by the family reunion. Maybe they’ve shared a few toasts. Someone might leave the gravy on the stove and forget about it while watching a football game. Set a timer to remind yourself to check on foods that are cooking.

Next are winter holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve and Los Posadas. Your loved one’s heirloom holiday decorations are no doubt part of the festivities. But as you unbox this vintage decor, examine those old strings of holiday lights. They might have been in the family for years—which makes it all the more likely that they could be unsafe. Inspect strings and cords for damage, and look for an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Don’t overload extension cords.

If candles are part of your family’s holiday tradition, remind your loved one to use holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over. Consider replacing candles with battery-powered flameless candles instead. Some of these are very attractive. If your faith tradition calls for letting candles burn down on their own, be sure someone is around until they’re out.

Take care with Christmas trees and other greenery. Don’t put greenery, such as wreaths or evergreen boughs, near candles or the fireplace. Artificial trees are safest, but many people prefer a natural tree. Don’t buy a tree if the needles are falling off. Put the tree in water as soon as you can, and don’t let the water in the stand dry out. Unplug lights when you are out or going to bed. And dispose of the tree as soon as the holidays are over—the longer the tree is in the home, the more flammable it becomes.

Rounding out the year, take care if anyone in your family sets off fireworks for the New Year celebrations.

In-Home Care Keeps Older Adults Safe at Home

Many families hire professional in-home care to keep older loved ones safe at home. A trained, professional caregiver can remove fire hazards, cook meals or supervise cooking for clients who may not be safe using the stove, and be alert to other fire hazards in the home. They can provide supervision if your loved one is a smoker. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or other memory loss, hire a caregiver who is trained in memory care. People with dementia are at higher risk of home fires. To find out more, use our office locator to find the nearest office and ask for a FREE in-home care consultation.

Photo courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency