A forgotten pot on the stove. A candle left burning too long. A towel hung too close to a heater. The combination of a heat source and a combustible object can lead to a raging fire in a matter of minutes, endangering not only property but also lives.
In 2005, fire departments in the United States responded to 396,000 house fires, which claimed the lives of 3,055 people and injured another 13,825, according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA).
The USFA has also found that on average, more than 1,000 Americans ages 65 and older die and another 2,000 are injured in house fires each year.
Alabama State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk said that senior adults are especially vulnerable in a residential fire because of decreased mobility and slower responses.
An adult aged 65 or older is 2.5 times more likely to die in a fire than the general population, according to the USFA’s January 2006 report, “Fire and the Older Adult.”
“A fire produces so many toxic substances, and a house fire has an even higher concentration of these toxic materials,” Paulk said. “Some of these gases are disorienting or fatal at even slight concentrations.”
He said oxygen used for medical purposes poses an increased fire risk.
“Oxygen is one of the ingredients that must be available to have a fire. When people are on oxygen and concentrations are higher, then fire does things that we don’t normally see fire do.” It can make the fire burn hotter or faster than it would without the added oxygen.
Kitchen fires are common in senior adults’ homes, as are burn injuries that occur when loose clothing catches fire while cooking, Paulk said.
Fires from tobacco smoking also continue to be prevalent.
“If you still smoke, you need to be careful about how you discard of smoking materials,” he said. “People falling asleep with their cigarettes usually end in tragedy.”
Paulk said smoke alarms are critical because they give early warning of a fire, providing precious time to escape.
“Houses built today are required to have smoke alarms that are powered by house current, since people have a tendency not to replace those batteries,” he said.
No matter the ages of homes and apartments, they should all have smoke detectors or a monitored smoke-alarm system, according to the “Home Fire Safety” section of the GuideOne Insurance Web site.
According to the site, “Studies have shown that properly functioning smoke detectors can reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent.”
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that there be a working smoke detector in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on every floor of a home — including the basement. Smoke detectors should also be installed away from kitchens and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms and need to be tested monthly to make sure they are working.
Wireless interconnected smoke-alarm systems, which are a newer technology, can provide earlier warnings, said Patty Davis, spokeswoman for the commission.
“You can put one in the basement, connected to one in the hallway and on throughout the house,” she said. “If there is a fire in the basement and that alarm goes off, it’s going to trigger the one in the bedroom and give you valuable minutes to get out of the house.”
Maintenance of smoke alarms is also critical, Davis said. “At least once a year, change the batteries in the smoke alarms,” she said. “And if an older friend or relative is not [changing the batteries], caregivers need to make sure it gets done.”
Fire extinguishers are another important part of home fire safety and are available in various types and sizes.
Although many people think of fire extinguishers as a way to put out fires, Paulk said their most important use may be in helping occupants escape a burning home.
“The human body does not do well in a fire environment,” he said. “Use the extinguisher to get out; then call [your local emergency services number].”
According to the GuideOne Web site, “In a typical home fire, the occupants have only about two or three minutes to get out.”
Having an evacuation plan that identifies exits, determines escape routes and specifies a safe meeting place outside the home can mean the difference between life and death when a fire occurs, the site said.
Most importantly, Paulk said, if a fire breaks out in your home, then get out and don’t go back in.
“Lots of deaths are caused by people who go back into a burning home,” he said. “You can replace a billfold or a purse, but you cannot replace your life.”
Fire Safety Checklist
• Install and maintain smoke detectors.
• Never smoke in bed, while drowsy or under the influence of medication.
• Pay attention while cooking, keeping pot handles turned inward. Avoid wearing loose clothing with flowing sleeves.
• Have a professional annually inspect home heating equipment. Never heat your home with a range or oven.
• Have a professional electrician inspect your home’s wiring every 10 years. Plug appliances into their own outlets and avoid extension cords.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Have a plan for escaping and responding in case of fire.
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