Your local Daytona fire protection service company is the best place to go for fire safety tips, and all your Fire & Life Safety needs.
Being an older adult is great. You’re suddenly close friends with the guy from the AARP, and you get the best discounts at your local diner. And while it’s essential for everyone to know what to do in case of a fire, it’s especially important for seniors and older adults. After age 65, people are twice as likely to be injured or killed by fires.
As a Daytona fire protection service, your fire safety is always on our minds. DynaFire is your resource for Fire & Life Safety solutions for assisted living facilities, senior living facilities, and more.
Fire Safety For Seniors: Tips From Our Daytona Fire Protection Service
Protect and Prevent
The best way to avoid a fire is to take measures to ensure they don’t ignite.
Space heaters: If you use a space heater where you live, it should always be at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire. Turn off and unplug your space heater before you leave your home or go to bed for the night. Never use an extension cord or power strip for your space heater; plug it directly into the wall.
Smoke outside: If you’re a smoker, never smoke in your home. Don’t smoke if someone in your home uses oxygen. Smoke outside, and use designated, sturdy ashtrays for cigarette butts.
Don’t leave the kitchen while cooking: When you’re frying or cooking, don’t step away from your stove. If a fire does ignite, place a pan lid over it and turn off the burner. If the fire is in your oven, keep the oven door closed and turn the oven off.
Prepare and Plan
If a fire does break out in your home, you need to have systems in place to alert you of the situation and a plan to evacuate.
Check smoke alarms: Your smoke alarm can save your life. A smoke alarm should be installed on every level of your home, and there should be one in each bedroom and outside each sleeping area. Make sure you have a plan to regularly check the batteries in the smoke alarms. If you aren’t able to check them yourself, have someone else do it for you. It’s best for your safety that your smoke alarms are interconnected. This means that if one of them sounds, they all sound.
Oh, and if your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, they should be replaced. We love nostalgic decor, but your smoke alarms aren’t it.
Know your evacuation route: Plan an evacuation route from every room in your home. You should create an escape plan around your abilities. Keep mobility devices like walkers, canes, or wheelchairs close to your bed, and have a flashlight and whistle handy if you need to signal for help.
Have accessible communication: Other items that should be near you at all times are communication devices. Especially if you live alone, you should have a landline phone or cell phone and charger near your bed.
Preventing fire emergencies and injuries is straightforward, and it’s important to consider any possible scenarios before they occur. For further reading, check out this publication from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
DynaFire: Your Home for Fire & Life Safety
The DynaFire Team is a local Daytona fire protection service specializing in a full range of commercial Fire & Life Safety services. If you operate a senior living facility, assisted living facility, or other commercial property that serves the older adult community, we’re here for you. We’re proud to offer industry-leading solutions to the Florida market and beyond. Contact us today to learn more!
