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Safety Advice for the Elderly
Around 167 people over the age of 65 die each year in fires. Poor mobility, weak sense of smell, and a reduced tolerance of smoke and burns contribute to these terrible accidents which are often caused by household items such as cookers, candles, coal fires and electric blankets.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have recently attended an alarming number of fires involving elderly persons within our community. Since November 2010, four incidents have occurred locally which were of an accidental nature and resulted unfortunately in the deaths of four elderly people. Severe damage to properties from fire and smoke can also leave elderly occupants homeless.
During the last twelve months, fires involving the elderly have been predominantly either cooking or smoking related. Currently an increasing number of elderly people continue to live in their homes alone for longer, some with minimal contact from relatives, friends and neighbours. This increases the risk of unsafe practices such as:
Leaving candles unattended
You should always make sure that candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire, such as curtains.
It is also very important that candles are put out completely when you leave the room or go to bed.
In the event of a power failure, use a torch and not a candle.
Smoking in bed
Careless disposal of matches and cigarettes is a common problem among the elderly. It is advised that you speak to your relatives and neighbours about the dangers involved, and keep matches and lighters away from visiting children.
“It can be devastating for our crews to attend a fire which could have been so easily avoided by taking some of the small steps outlined in this article.
I strongly urge everyone in our community who has contact with and care for our elderly to consider the risks and take just ten minutes to check out their home for potential hazards.”
Steve Smith
Station Manager, Community Risk Management
Unsafe positioning of portable heaters
You should always keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes. Always unplug electric heaters when you go out or go to bed. A fire guard should also be used to protect an open fire or open heater.
Using electric blankets
Many elderly people feel the cold especially in the winter, and an electric blanket can be a good source of keeping warm during the cold nights. However, statistics show that for every 1000 fires started by an electric blanket, 440 will result in injury. It is therefore very important to ensure that electric blankets are used safely; this includes storing them dry and flat, and ensuring that they are well maintained.
Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.
We recommend that electric blankets are safety checked every ten years.
Smoke Alarms
The most important safety advice is to have a correctly fitted smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can be purchased readily from most reputable DIY/hardware retailers. Working smoke alarms really do save lives.
Let’s all work together to create “Safer Communities in Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland”.
To see our advice on smoke alarms, click here
If you require any further advice, you can speak to one of our advisors by telephoning 0116 2872241.
