Important Fire Safety Tips for Older Adults

Each year in the United States, there are an average of 346,800 house fires resulting in 2,620 deaths and 11,070 injuries. 1 By themselves, these are concerning statistics. For adults age 65 and older, this is an even more important concern, as this age group represents 30% of all home fire deaths every year. 2

As an older adult, it’s important to recognize that changes in mobility, vision, hearing, and some cases cognition can all increase your risk of fire injury or death. There are steps you can take to improve fire safety around the house and to prepare for a worst-case scenario so that you can avoid a serious outcome if a fire occurs.

Some statistics to be aware of:

Cooking is a leading cause of house fires, with 49% of all fires caused by this activity 3
1 in 20 home fires is related to smoking 4
Electrical problems are the third leading cause of home fires 5
Home heating equipment is responsible for 1 in 7 home fires 6

Let’s consider specific tips for fire safety, as well as special situations that may add to fire risk, and discuss how you can develop a fire safety plan that everyone in your household can use.

General fire safety

Every day fire safety is something we should all be practicing. There are common fire hazards around the home that you can be aware of and related safety strategies you can learn to prevent fires.

Home heating

Heat sources are a leading cause of home fires, especially in the winter months. Space heaters account for 81% of home heating-related fire deaths, and 54% of deaths are related to heat sources that were too close to flammable objects. 7 To reduce the risk of fire due to home heating, follow these tips:

Have your chimney(s) cleaned and inspected at least annually by a professional 8

Keep items at least 3 feet away from heat sources, including furniture, curtains, and clothing 9

Never use kitchen appliances to heat your home

Have your furnace or other heating systems inspected and maintained each year by a professional

If you use a space heater, make sure it has an automatic shutoff if tipped over

Don’t leave heat sources unattended- turn off space heaters if you leave the room or go to sleep

Electrical hazards

Home wiring, plugs, outlets, cords, lighting, and electrical appliances can all contribute to electricity-related home fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 10% of all fires are related to electrical sources. 10

You can follow these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to reduce your risk of electrical fires: 11

Don’t overload extension cords, and replace damaged extension cords right away

Don’t overload outlets or power strips

Plug major appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.) directly into wall outlets, never extension cords

Unplug small appliances when not in use (or consider smart plugs that will turn them off automatically)

Don’t use items with damaged cords

Keep flammable items away from lighting and light bulbs

Don’t allow cords to be pinched or damaged

Be sure plugs are fully seated in outlets

Have any electrical work done by a licensed professional

Clothes dryers

This appliance deserves special attention, as it is responsible for 2,900 home fires each year, with 34% of these fires caused by a failure to clean the dryer. 12 Some simple tips can help you avoid home fires due to clothes dryers:

Always clean the lint filter between each load

Clean the lint vent every 3 months 13

Be sure the dryer vent hose is not crushed or pinched

Have the dryer and vent system professionally cleaned regularly, especially if it is taking longer to dry

Be sure the electrical cord is connected correctly to the dryer and plugged into the correct outlet designed for dryers only

The dryer outlet on the exterior of the home should have a covering that keeps out debris and animals but doesn’t obstruct air flow

Don’t use the dryer to dry flammable items like foam or rubber

Don’t use a dryer that you know has a clogged lint filter or vent

Don’t leave the dryer running when you are asleep or away from home

Smoking

Along with health risks related to smoking, there are also fire hazards connected to this habit. Each year, 5% of home fires and 23% of home fire deaths are related to smoking. 14

The best way to prevent this risk is to quit smoking. You can have a conversation with your doctor about the best ways to quit successfully, or the National Quit Smoking hotline offers free resources and coaching to help you succeed. You can call this hotline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Other tips to reduce smoking-related fire risks:

Never smoke in bed
Smoking outside is the safest choice, rather than inside the home
Don’t smoke after taking medication that makes you sleepy, or after using alcohol or drugs
Be sure cigarettes are put out completely, and never leave them lit when not in use
Use ashtrays with a wide base that won’t tip
NEVER smoke around medical oxygen, which can explode

Other fire sources around the house

Along with the above sources, there are some other household fire culprits that should always be handled carefully. Never leave the following items in and around the home unattended or use them near items that can easily burn:

Candles
BBQ grills
Wood stoves and fireplaces
Holiday decorations like Christmas tree lights

Next, we’ll discuss kitchen safety in detail, as it’s a major fire safety concern.

Kitchen safety and fires

Because cooking fires are a major source of home fires and injuries, it’s especially important to take steps to avoid this concern. For older adults with memory issues like dementia, accidentally leaving the stove unattended can have serious consequences and increases this risk. Caregivers should take additional precautions to help these older adults reduce the chances of a kitchen fire happening.

Basic cooking safety tips

Always be sure to follow these everyday kitchen safety practices:

Don’t use the stove if you have taken any medications that make you drowsy, or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Don’t leave the stovetop unattended

Always set alarms to remind you to check on food

Keep flammable items like pot holders, food packaging, towels, and curtains away from the stove

Don’t wear loose or long-sleeved clothing while cooking

Keep the stove and burners clean of buildup or residue

Never try to put out a grease fire with water

Cover burning pans with a lid if possible and leave covered until cooled

Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen area

Technology for kitchen fire safety

Smoke alarms should always be present in the home and they aid with fire safety in the kitchen, but there are some great ways that newer technologies can help with this, too. For older adults with dementia, these technologies can help caregivers prevent cooking fires when they aren’t able to supervise– and they can increase safety for any older adult.

Here are some examples:

Stove shutoff timers that can be pre-set

The FireAvert, which interacts with your existing smoke detector to shut off the stove in the event of an alarm

Motion detectors that will turn the stove off if you move too far away, including smart monitoring systems like the iGuardStove, which can send caregivers alerts and allows remote access to safety settings

Special circumstances to consider for fire safety

While the technology described above can help reduce concerns– especially where dementia is involved– there are a few other health and age-related circumstances that can affect fire safety, too. If the following situations apply to you or your loved one, you need to take additional precautions:

Mobility issues
Vision problems
Hearing loss
Oxygen use

Mobility issues

If mobility is challenging for you, preparing ahead for a fire should include planning for any limitations. Here are some basic tips:

Sleep on the ground floor of your home (or try to live in a first-floor apartment if possible)
Always keep mobility devices close by especially when sleeping
Ensure fire exits are not blocked
Make your local fire department aware of your mobility limitations
If you live with others and stairs are a barrier, consider having a portable emergency stretcher available

Vision and hearing problems

It is common for vision and hearing problems to increase with aging, and special steps should be taken to improve safety for older adults who might be impacted by these difficulties in a fire emergency.

For vision problems:

Identify escape routes in your home and practice using them so that you can find your way out in an emergency
Be sure working smoke detectors are in the home
Notify your local fire department that you have a visual impairment
Keep your planned escape paths free of clutter and other obstacles
Consider brightly lit emergency exit signs or lights to increase visibility in a fire

For hearing problems:

Use smoke detectors with bright strobe light effects to notify of fire
Look for devices that interact with smoke detectors to emit a low-pitched sound that is easier for older adults to hear
Use a bed or pillow shaking alarm system to alert a sleeping person who is hearing impaired
Notify your local fire department that you are hearing impaired

Oxygen use and fire precautions

Home oxygen use increases the risk of fire because oxygen is highly flammable and even a small spark can cause an explosion or fire. If you use home oxygen, it is extremely important to take extra steps to avoid this hazard. The NFPA recommends: 15

Never, ever smoke when oxygen is in use.
Candles, matches, wood stoves, and any other source of a spark should not be used in the home
Keep oxygen cylinders at least 5 feet from any heat source, open flame, or electrical devices
Hand lotion, body oil, and other greasy substances can catch fire easily- don’t use them near oxygen
Aerosol sprays that are combustible should never be used near oxygen

In addition, posting clear “no smoking” signs where oxygen is in use can remind others to avoid smoking. Store oxygen canisters away from heat sources and in an upright position.

Have a safety plan

Along with all of the previously discussed precautions, it’s critical that you have a safety plan in the event of a fire, and that everyone in your family is aware of it. Let’s look at some basic components of a safety plan:

Smoke detectors

Smoke detectors are the anchor point for any fire safety plan because they alert you to the presence of a fire in time to escape safely. Even though 90% of US households have smoke detectors, it’s estimated that 20% of them don’t work due to dead or missing batteries. 16

The Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that smoke alarms be installed on every level of the home and outside each bedroom, and all smoke alarms should be tested monthly.

Evacuation plan

You should know ahead of time what to do if you spot a fire or are warned of fire by your smoke alarms. There are several key tips to follow in creating a safe evacuation plan:

Keep glasses, hearing aids, and a cell phone in reach of where you sleep

Along with notifying the local fire department of any vision, hearing, or mobility problems, it can be helpful to alert neighbors and building managers ahead of emergencies, too

Think about 2 ways you can safely get out of any room, and practice ahead of time

Make sure all doors and windows in the home are easy to open

Remember to crawl low to the ground to avoid smoke

Always check to see if door handles are hot before opening any doors in a fire. If they are, use another exit from the room like a window

Never use an elevator to escape a fire- use stairs instead

Choose a safe meeting spot outside and away from the home where everyone should gather, so there is no confusion about who might still be in the house

Never go back into a burning building for any reason. Get out quickly, call 911, and stay out

Practice your entire evacuation plan with everyone in the home at least twice a year

Some final thoughts

Following the fire safety tips in this guide can both help you avoid a fire in the first place, and escape without injury if one occurs.

If mobility, vision, and hearing issues are a concern for you, communication is key. Talk to friends, neighbors, family, and the local fire department about your limitations and plans in case of a fire.

Don’t forget to involve any professional caregivers in your safety precautions and plans. They can help you maintain safe habits like regularly checking smoke detectors and using smart technology around the house to avoid hazards. It’s also important they’re aware of your evacuation plans and meeting spot in emergencies.

With some attention to these factors, you can rest more easily knowing your risk of fire, injury, and fire-related death is decreased.

If you’re considering in-home care to assist with mobility, everyday needs, and special precautions like fire safety, Caresify’s professional team can help you meet these needs. You can learn more here, or call 888-799-5007.

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