Fire Safety

October is Fire Safety Month.

Older adults tend to be more vulnerable to fire-related injuries:
· People 65 and older are twice as likely to die in fires as any other age group.
· The fire death rate for those 85 and over is four times the national average.
· Seniors are at a higher risk of fire injury .
Reduce your risk of fires:
· Make sure your smoke alarms and CO2 alarms are in working order.
· Flammable liquids stored in the house or near sources of ignition can cause fires and explosions. Store these materials in a well-ventilated area away from living quarters.
· Don't keep large quantities of combustible materials in the house, especially near escape routes such as hallways
· Look for electrical problems. Flickering lights, loose switches and damaged cords are warnings of electrical fire.
· Place fire extinguishers in accessible areas. Know how to use them.
· Teach everyone to get everyone to safety and cal the fire department first.
· Post emergency numbers at each phone including who to call in case of fire. Also, post your own address and telephone number because a panicked person can forget these.

Written by LEH