Fire Safety is even more important for Seniors

Cruising the web today, a surprising statistic is often repeated. Seniors are 50% more likely to die in a housefire than the general population. Many factors contribute to this scary fact, but by becoming more aware of circumstances that can endanger yourself or a loved one, we can hope to mitigate the dangers in our homes.

In my real estate practice I have had several boomers request only homes which have no gas appliances, electric heat, or easy retrofits. A decreasing sense of smell is one major contributing factor in deaths by smoke and fire. Several website give great advice on 'reminding' ourselves that we have left food cooking on the stove to run and watch a quick news piece, or the still number one killer: SMOKING IN BED. That one is easy. STOP IT! If you must run out of the kitchen, carry a spoon or hotpad to remind you to go back quickly. try not to wear dangling sleeves near the stove, and NEVER heat the house with your oven..being alive is a better than dead cold.

My dad was well known for putting a pizza in the oven at night, then falling asleep in the chair. Neighbors would thankfully wake him up when the smoke started wafting into their apartments. He never woke up for smoke alarms, telling us he had learned to ignore alarm clocks the day he retired! Dad made it all the way to 93 on his own, with the help of some 'nosy' neighbors!

Space heaters are increasing in popularity, but don't plug them into extension cords..overheating the cord is a major source of fires. Also choose ones that will turn off when the cat knocks them over! Many medications that can cause drowsiness will also keep you sleeping through the smoke alarms and smells.

Woodstove and fireplaces need screens to prevent embers setting carpet, papers or any close flammables on fire. A quick check at the beginning of the season on chimney condition, ash pan cleaning, safe storage areas..and you should be ready for the season.

Medications, decreasing mobility, forgetfullness and diminished sensory ability can put any person of any age in danger of housefires. A little prevention at the beginning of the season, and increasing our awareness of the situations we can avoid can help us to plan for a safe and warm winter!