Americans over the age of 65 are one of the groups at greatest risk of perishing in a fire. Seniors over the age of 65 die at a rate of five times higher than the general population. However, the number of these deaths can be greatly reduced if certain precautions are taken.
Fire presents a great risk to the elderly. Their physical reaction times may be slowed. Their senses of sight, hearing, and smell may be reduced. They may be disoriented or drowsy because of the medication they take. If a fire starts, they need more time or maybe they need assistance from others in order to escape.
Smoking, cooking, electrical and heating systems, as well as the operation of appliances, all pose dangers to seniors. The Consumer Product Safety Council also estimates that 83% of deaths resulting from sleepwear fires involve people over 65. The leading cause of fire fatalities is started by the use of smoking materials.....matches, lighters and cigarettes.
Falling asleep while smoking, is the most common cause of serious burns to the elderly, and often results in fatalities. Many seniors still enjoy smoking which is not good for them. The older smoker may be tired, fatigued, and often under the influence of medication or alcohol. He or she sits down in a comfortable upholstered chair, lights lights a cigarette and turns on the TV. Soon, he or she may fall asleep.
The cigarette falls from their hand. It may fall into their lap, the chair or the rug. The cigarette may have been placed in an ashtray on the arm of the chair. When the smoker falls asleep, he knocks over the ashtray without ever waking up.
The cigarette will continue to burn and will ignite the fabric and other materials used in upholstered furniture. Undetected, it can continue to burn for hours before a flare-up occurs and ignites other combustibles such as newspapers, clothing the rug or draperies.
The Newport News Fire Department has started a summer program that offers both home visits and safety equipment to older residents of the city - all for free.
The program, called Home Safe Home, Sponsored by the Newport News, targets anyone age 65 and older. Along with children under 14, that age group is at highest risk for injuries in a fire or fall at home, fire officials say.
From now through Aug. 19, fire department educators will visit homes to share safety tips and, if needed, install equipment such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, nonslip bathtub mats and nightlights. Educators also are available for presentations at community centers and assisted living facilities.
Summer is a good time to focus on older residents because educators aren't busy giving safety talks in local schools, said Dana Perry, public information officer for the fire department.
"We have an aging population that tends to be not as mobile and a little more frail," "If there's a fire, they might have trouble getting out. If they fall down, that can open them up to many other illnesses, like pneumonia. We want to do everything we can to keep them safe."
To prevent fires:
Wet cigarette butts and ashes before emptying ashtrays into a wastebasket. Never smoke while lying down, drowsy or in bed.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Unplug them when you shut them off, leave the home or go to bed.
Wear tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when cooking.
Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home. Test the alarms once a month and plan escape routes.
Immerse any burns in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you know or suspect the burns are severe, seek medical help right away.
Check Smoke Detectors
When the season changes, it means it's also time to replace the batteries in the smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are a very important feature in every home, but they can be especially valuable for senior citizens. In the Spring We should change the battery in the smoke alarm and it also should be tested to make sure it works properly.
It is also a good idea to vacuum the smoke alarm so that dust or cobwebs aren't an impediment to the proper functioning of the smoke alarm. Another good springtime safety tip is to check your fire extinguisher at the same time you change the smoke alarm batteries so that functional fire extinguishers are always present and easily located.
These small precautions take less time, but are very valuable for the Safety Measures.
Next is the nation's leading cause of death for the elderly which is from unintentional injury in the home:
To prevent a fall in the home, these step should be taken:
Exercise regularly to build strength and improve balance.
Get out of chairs slowly and sit for a moment before getting out of bed.
Clear stairs and walking areas of all clutter, including electrical cords, shoes, clothing, books, magazines and toys.
Always turn on a light before going up or down the stairs.
Put non-slip mats on bathtub and shower floors. Install grab bars on a wall next to the tub, shower and toilets.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Yard and Garden Safety
In order to stay safe, senior citizens need to stay vigilant for certain types of situations year-round. There are some situations and scenarios that are more common in the springtime, however, that senior citizens should be especially careful to look out for in order to stay safe.
By following some simple home and outdoor safety tips, the spring season can be enjoyed safely by seniors without the fear of accidents or mishaps. Working outdoors in the garden can be very relaxing and is a great way to get some good exercise <http://www.ehow.com/way_5718510_safety-tips-senior-citizens-springtime.html>. Care must be taken not to overdo things, though, and some basic safety rules should be observed.
Especially before engaging in gardening <http://www.ehow.com/gardening/> activities that are physical in nature, it is a good idea to take a few minutes to do some simple stretching exercises. It is also a good idea to bend properly to avoid stress to the back and knees. Using a kneeling band or a gardening bench is often a good choice.
Care should be taken when lifting so as not to cause unnecessary strain. Frequent breaks should be taken in order to avoid becoming fatigued. Clothing should be appropriate for the weather, and sunscreen always should be used. Make sure instructions are followed on all equipment, fertilizers and lawn chemicals, and always take care to put supplies away safely after the job is done.
