Fire safety tips for senior citizens
THE RISK OF DYING IN A FIRE is more than 2.5 times higher for adults age 65 and over, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. That’s one reason Kentucky’s electric cooperatives are focused on the safety of seniors.
A number of factors increase seniors’ risk for danger, including slower reflexes. Here are some important tips to help stay safe:
Stay put at the stove and keep an eye on the skillet while cooking. Unattended pots and pans are a fire hazard.
If something’s burning while baking, don’t open the oven door. Stay calm and turn the oven off. The fire should end on its own, but if it doesn’t, leave the house and call 911.
Seniors who have trouble hearing should make sure their smoke detector provides a visual signal (such as a strobe light), as well as an audible one.
No matter your age, one of the easiest ways to improve your chances of surviving a fire is to make sure the smoke alarm in your home is working.
BILLY PORTER is Safety Coordinator at Gibson EMC.
