Fire Safety Facts For People 50-Plus

American's over 50 are more active than ever - except apparently, when it comes to fire prevention.

With the demands of retirement, grandchildren, traveling and taking care of older relatives, there just doesn't seem to be that much time to devote to safe cooking, smoking, and heating behaviors.

Did you know that each year, approximately 1,100 Americans ages 65 and older die as a result of a home fire?

Compared to the rest of the U. S. population:

• People between 65 and 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a fire.


• People between 75 and 84 are nearly four times as likely to die in a fire.


• People ages 85 and older are more than five times as likely to die in a fire.

With adults ages 50 and older now entering - and often caring for this high risk group, the Los Angeles Fire Department is joining forces with the U. S. Fire Administration to encourage older adults, their families and caregivers to prevent fire and save lives.

With a few simple steps, the risk of death and injury from fire can be reduced dramatically.

Cook Safely

Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors. Cooking is the third leading cause of fire deaths and the leading cause of injury among people ages 65 and older.

It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or leave flammable materials, such as potholders or paper towels, around the stove. Whether you are cooking the family holiday dinner or a snack for the grandchildren:

• Never leave cooking unattended. A serious fire can start in just seconds.


• Always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from flames.


• Never use the range or oven to heat your home.


• Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house.


• Painful burns as well as fires can be prevented by keeping a tidy cooking area and turning pot handles away from the front of the stove.

Heat Your Home Safely

Though there are more home fires during the Winter than any other time of year, now is a good time to start planning the annual inspection and service of your home heating system.

Heating is the second leading cause of fire death and the third leading cause of injury to people ages 65 and older. Many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented with safe heating practices. So long before you grab a good book and cozy up to the fireplace, make sure you do the following:

• Keep fire in the fireplace by making sure you have a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.


• Space heaters need space. Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from any location where space heaters will be used this Winter.


• When you buy a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.

Smoke Safely

Sitting in your favorite chair and having a cigarette after dinner seems to some like a great way to relax - but cigarettes and relaxing can be a deadly mix. Falling asleep while smoking can ignite clothing, rugs and other materials used in upholstered furniture. Using alcohol and medications that make you sleepy compound this hazard.

Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths and the second leading cause of injuries among people ages 65 and older. Cigarettes when not properly extinguished continue to burn. When a resting cigarette is accidentally knocked over, it can smolder for hours before a flare-up occurs. Before you light your next cigarette, remember:

• Never smoke in bed.


• Put your cigarette or cigar out at the first sign of feeling drowsy while watching television or reading.


• Use deep ashtrays and put your cigarettes all the way out.


• Don't walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials

And finally, please remember three things that can increase the odds you'll 'Get Out Alive':

• Smoke Alarms: Test your smoke alarms every month and change batteries at least once a year. Make sure you have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room and in the hallway adjacent to those rooms. If sleeping rooms are on an upper level, a smoke alarm should also be installed in the center of the ceiling directly above the interior stairway. In fact, its a great idea to have smoke alarms on every level of your home. If any of your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them now with new and more effective devices.


• Home Fire Escape Plan: Develop and practice a fire escape plan regularly, at least twice a year. Keep exits clear of debris.


• Home Fire Sprinklers: If at all possible, install residential sprinklers in your home.

For more information about fire prevention for Americans 50 plus, please visit your Neighborhood Fire Station or:

www.usfa.dhs.gov/50plus

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department