Fire Safety for Seniors Aging in Place
Home care provides assistance with daily activities, care, and safety for seniors aging in place.
Maintaining a safe home becomes more important when seniors decide to age in place. Although independence can be liberating, it is important to address possible concerns that could jeopardize safety, especially in relation to fire threats. Particularly for seniors who may experience difficulties with eyesight, hearing, or mobility, fires pose a significant danger. The good news is that home care providers and loved ones can work together to help seniors understand the hazards and incorporate routines and modifications that keep seniors safer.
Understanding Fire Hazards
For a number of reasons, seniors are more likely to sustain injuries or worse in a fire. For instance, mobility issues make it more difficult for them to quickly leave the space. At the same time, sensory impairments could make it take longer to notice smoke or flames. Additionally, certain medications might impact their alertness or reaction time.
As a result, it’s essential for home care providers and loved ones to work with seniors to adopt preventative measures that not only lower the risk of fire but also help seniors react appropriately in an emergency.
Fire Preventative Measures to Keep Seniors Safe
The first step is to assess the seniors’ homes—and their abilities—to see what measures are already in place and how easily they’re able to respond. Some of the measures to look for or add include the following:
Functioning Smoke Alarm System
A functional smoke alarm system is the first line of defense against fire. Smoke alarms should be placed on every floor of the house, including the basement, and outside of any sleeping quarters.
Loved ones should look for connected smoke alarms so that when one goes off, they all go off for optimum safety. Also, for seniors with hearing problems, it’s important to install strobe lights or lower-frequency smoke alarms.
Additionally, it’s important to make sure smoke alarms are functioning correctly by testing them once a month. Home care services and loved ones can work together to make sure this is completed.
Create a Fire Escape Plan
It’s important to establish a fire escape plan, especially for seniors who might have mobility problems. Start with a floor plan of the house and mark any potential exits, such as doors and windows. The next step is to make sure there are no trip hazards, furniture, or clutter in the way of escape routes. Also, verify that all windows and doors utilized as exits are conveniently accessible.
Finally, home care providers and loved ones can practice the escape plan on a regular basis to make sure seniors are comfortable with it.
Fire Safety Tips
A common cause of house fires, particularly in the kitchen, is cooking. Home care providers can remind seniors to stay vigilant while cooking by not leaving the kitchen when a burner is on and avoiding wearing loose garments while cooking. A compact, user-friendly fire extinguisher should also be added to the kitchen space.
Another fire risk is the use of space heaters. If necessary, seniors should be reminded to keep drapes, beds, and furniture at least three feet away from space heaters to prevent fire hazards. Also, it is vital that the heater be placed on a level, stable surface that won’t topple over. Additionally, selecting a heater with an automatic shut-off feature, which turns on when the appliance overheats or tips over, is essential.
With the help of home care, seniors can drastically lower their chance of a fire emergency by being proactive, installing and maintaining smoke alarms, making a clear escape plan, and exercising caution.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Highland Park, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_221.pdf
- https://www.seniorliving.org/fire-prevention-guide/
- https://www.rightathome.net/blog/fire-safety-tips-for-seniors
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