Fire Safety for Older Adults
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2020 about 1 in 6 people in the United States were age 65 and over. In 1920, this proportion was less than 1 in 20. In less than two decades, the graying of America will be inescapable. Older adults are projected to outnumber kids for the first time in U.S. history. These statistics highlight the need for a wide variety of resources to keep our aging population safe.
Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is particularly important for older adults. In 2020, older adults (65+) in the United States are 2.5 times had a 2.5 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the total population. Having physical or mental impairments, using chemical substances such as medicines and alcohol, and living with smokers or in substandard housing are some of the risk factors that make older adults more vulnerable to fire injury and death.
Quick Fire Safety Tips for Older Adults
- Keep it low: If you don't live in an apartment building, consider sleeping in a room on the ground floor in order to make emergency escape easier. Make sure that smoke alarms are installed in every sleeping room and outside any sleeping areas. Have a telephone installed where you sleep or keep your cell phone on the nightstand beside you in case of emergency. When looking for an apartment or high-rise home, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system.
- Sound the alarm: The majority of fatal fires occur when people are sleeping. Smoke can put you into a deeper sleep rather than waking you. so it is important to have a mechanical early warning of fire to ensure you wake up. If anyone in your household is deaf or hard of hearing or if your own hearing is diminished, consider installing a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration to alert you to a fire emergency. Find resources for these types of alarms in our Additional Safety Tips Section.
- Do the drill: Conduct your own, or participate in, regular fire drills to make sure you know what to do in the event of a home fire. If you or someone you live with cannot escape alone, designate a member of the household to assist, and decide on backups in case the designee isn't home.
- Open up: Make sure you are able to open all doors and windows in your home. Locks and pins should open easily from inside. (Some apartments and high-rise buildings have windows designed not to open.) If you have security bars on doors or windows, they should have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened easily. These devices won't compromise your safety, but they will enable you to open the window from inside in the event if a fire.
- Stay connected: Keep a telephone nearby, along with emergency phone numbers so that you can communicate with emergency personnel if you are trapped in your room by fire or smoke.