Senior Safety
Senior Safety
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FIRE
SAFETY FOR SENIORS ! FACT ! FROM 1992 TO 1997, 18 SENIORS, PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 60, DIED IN RESIDENTIAL FIRES - ALMOST HALF OF ALL DEATHS IN THAT PERIOD. FACT ! MORE THAN 1000 FIRES IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES CAUSE DAMAGE OF AROUND $ 10,000,000.00 IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA EVERY YEAR, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF MANY IRREPLACEABLE PERSONAL ITEMS AND POSSESSIONS. DEPRESSING FACT’S
- YES, BUT THERE ARE
WAYS TO HELP AVOID BECOMING PART OF THESE STASTICT’S. The Fire
Service is committed to safeguarding people and their property throughout
Western Australia from
the threat of fire and other hazards, and recommend the following actions and
precautions. Seniors are at a higher risk from fire in the home, than other
groups in the community, for obvious reasons :- Ÿ
Hearing and sight
impairments. Ÿ
Decreased mobility. Ÿ
Lack of assistance and
support. Ÿ
Many seniors live
alone. Ÿ
Medications may affect
the activities of seniors. For many
reasons , seniors must improve their chances by taking a few simple actions and
precautions. These precautions are inexpensive, mostly common sense, easy to
implement and may be vital for survival : INSTALL
AND MAINTAIN SMOKE ALARMS. Ÿ
Most people who die in
fires are firstly overcome by smoke and toxic fumes. A smoke alarm will give an
early warning of fire and provide valuable extra time to exit a
building. Ÿ
Battery operated smoke
alarms are easy to install - they all come with instructions on how to install
them and the recommended positions to install them. They are available from most
hardware and department stores from as little as $10 each. This is a very small
cost compared to the value of life and property they will help to protect. Smoke
alarms have been compulsory in new housing for a number of years. So why not go
ahead and install one today! Ÿ
Mains connected alarms
with a battery back-up in case of power failure may also be installed by an
electrician. These alarms may also be interlinked, one alarm will
then set of other alarms in the same building. Ÿ
All alarms, battery or
mains connected with battery back-up must be regularly maintained, which is a
simple procedure. Test your alarm each month - make it the first day of the new
month so you will remember - by using the test button clearly marked on all
types of alarms. The test button may be pushed quite simply with the end of a
broom handle so there is no need for you to stand on a chair! Be prepared for
the alarm to be very noisy while the test button is pushed (they need to be
noisy to wake you up while you are asleep) Ÿ
Most importantly,
replace the battery at least once a year. The national day for changing
batteries is April the 1st. April fool’s day ( don’t be a fool - change your
alarm battery ) Batteries are a very small cost compared to lost life or
property, so change them every year even if you don’t think they need’s
changing! TAKE
CARE WITH HEATING OF ALL TYPES. Home heating is
a major cause of domestic fires. All types of heaters should be used in
accordance with the manufactures instructions. Heaters should not be modified or
used if damaged in any way. If in doubt - get an expert to check it out. Ÿ
Electrical room
heaters should be checked once a year before the cooler season to ensure there
are no worn flexes or dangerous plugs. These should be replaced by an
electrician before the heater is used. Power points must not be overloaded - a
good rule is one point -one plug. Only replace a blown fuse wire with the
correct size fuse wire. Never double up fuse wire! Nowadays double
adaptors are not suitable for use any more - a double power point is better,
more convenient for you and
safer. Ÿ
Before using wood
heaters and open fires before their first use and during the winter season,
flues should be cleaned. Open fires should be guarded with a fine mesh screen
and put out before going to bed. Combustible materials, should be kept well away
from the fire. Other types of heaters should be well screened. Never put clothes
to dry over oil filled or other types of heaters. Ÿ
Bar heaters should not
be used or should be fixed to the wall in a suitable location away from
furniture and combustible materials. TAKE
CARE WHEN COOKING . Many
domestic fires start in the kitchen. Ÿ
Avoid burns from
splattering fat. Heat cooking oil gradually and take extra care when cooking
deep fried food. Ÿ
Never throw water
on burning fat - it will
explode out of the pot and cause the fire to spread. Keep a fire extinguisher
suitable for oil and electrical fires in a suitable position, but not near
cooking equipment, where you can get to it quickly in the case of a fire in the
kitchen. These extinguishers are not expensive and can be bought from most
hardware stores. Place a suitable
lid on a bench away from the stove. This lid could be used to smother a burning
fat fire by placing it carefully over the burning pot. Alternatively consider
buying a fire blanket and also keep it in a suitable position where it can be
quickly used. Consider showing friends and neighbours where you keep your fire
extinguisher and fire blanket so that they also know where to look in an
emergency. Ÿ
Turn all saucepan
handles inwards. Ÿ
Keep tea towels and
paper towels away from cooking burners, heater elements and avoid wearing loose
clothes with dangling sleeves when cooking - these can catch fire easily. Ÿ
On a slippery floor in
a kitchen, place a non slip mat in front of the stove to avoid accidents. Ÿ
If you leave the
kitchen while cooking, turn off the elements or burners on the stove. TAKE
CARE WHEN SMOKING. Ÿ
Never smoke in bed. Ÿ
If you feel drowsy
while reading, watching TV etc. put out you cigarette. Take care if you are
taking medication which may make you drowsy. Large deep
ashtrays with wide rims are better and safer. Avoid resting them on the arms of
armchairs or where they could be dislodged. Do not over fill ashtrays and be
sure contents are extinguished before disposing of them. If unsure - dampen the
contents. TAKE
CARE WITH ELECTRIC BLANKETS. Electric
blankets must be used properly and in accordance with the manufactures
instructions. Ÿ
Blankets must be
inspected when used for the first time before the cooler season and periodically
during use for damage. Damaged or faulty blankets must not be used. Electrical
cords and plugs should be inspected for damage. Ÿ
The blanket should be
turned on sometime before going to bed, and then turned off before retiring - never
sleep on a blanket that is left turned on. Ÿ
Always store blankets
hanging up, rather than folded, or in accordance with the manufactures storage
instructions. Ÿ
Electric blankets are
not suitable for people suffering from incontinence. Ÿ
Do not stick pin’s
or other sharp items into blankets or bed coverings over blankets. Ÿ
Blankets should be
switched off while you are out of the house. GETTING
OUT OF YOUR HOUSE IN AN EMERGENCY. IN AN EMERGENCY
IT IS VITAL THAT ALL RESIDENTS ARE
PREPARED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE QUICKLY AND SAFELY. SO BE PREPARED BEFOREHAND. Ÿ
THE MAJORITY OF FIRES
OCCUR BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 8 AM. Ÿ
Identify more than one
way out of every room in your house, remember you may have to do it in the dark
or in smoke. So practice the best way to get out. Smoke and heat will rise so
try crawling with your eyes closed and find your nearest exit. This may help you
if the worst happens and you need to do it in a real emergency. Ÿ
If your bedroom is on
the second floor and it will be a problem getting out, consider moving your
bedroom to the ground floor. Ÿ
If you use a wheel
chair, walking frame or walking aid, be sure that all exit route’s are kept
clear at all times day and night. Always keep passage way’s clear at all
times. Make sure you have an easy escape route. Ÿ
It’s a good idea to
be sure that all windows and security screens can be easily opened from the
inside and keys kept close by locks when at home. Ÿ
Keep your glasses,
mobile phone, a good torch, near your bedside phone at night while
asleep. Talk to your household members, relatives, friends and neighbours
about your
escape plans. Visitors, especially children, should know what to do in
the event of a fire. Ÿ
In multi-accommodation
buildings, find out where the fire alarm “break glass” boxes are located.
Memorise the exit route from your room to the outside of the building. In case
of a fire in a multi-story building, don’t use the lift. DEALING
WITH A FIRE. Ÿ
Assist or alert any
people in danger, but only if safe to do so. ( Use the “break glass” fire
alarm if fitted to the building.) Ÿ
Alert the Fire Service
- DIAL
000 Ÿ
If unable to easily
put out the fire, close the door to the room on fire Ÿ
Smoke rises, so the
cleanest air to breath will be close to the floor. If asleep when alerted and
the room is full of smoke, roll out of bed onto the floor rather than standing
up, keep low or crawl if necessary to the nearest safe exit. Ÿ
If you need to pass
through a closed door, carefully feel the door before opening it. If it is hot
to touch, do not open it but use another way to get out. Ÿ
Leave your home and
call the Fire Service -
DIAL 000
Give the following details : 1.
House number. 2.
Street name 3.
Suburb 4.
Nearest cross street or intersection 5.
Your name and any other relevant information that will make it easy for
the Fire Service to find the correct address - your house, especially if it is
hard to find. The operator on the emergency call will ask you for these details. Ÿ
Alert you neighbours
as necessary. Ÿ
Assemble at the
pre-arranged assembly area and do not leave. Take instructions from persons in
authority, Police, Fire Service personnel, nursing home administration etc.
DO
NOT RE-ENTER
A BURNING
BUILDING UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. CHECK
THAT EVERYONE IN THE HOME HAS BEEN
ABLE TO GET OUT, AND WAIT FOR THE FIRE SERVICE TO ATTEND. ALWAYS REMEMBER - SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES |
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