Senior Safety Revisited - Monte Wisbrock

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

With most of our summer guests gone for another year, it’s time to start looking again at things of importance to year-round residents. For those of us that have reached or are approaching certain birthdays and that are bombarded daily with ads and mail focused on our maturity, it comes as no surprise that the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has specific fire safety tips for us. According to the USFA, older Americans are more active than ever - except apparently, when it comes to fire prevention. With the demands of retirement, grandchildren and traveling, there just doesn't seem to be that much time to devote to safe cooking, smoking and heating. Each year, approximately 1,100 Americans ages 65 and older die as a result of a home fire. Compared to the rest of the U. S. population: • People between 65 and 74 are nearly twice as likely to die in a fire. • People between 75 and 84 are nearly four times as likely to die in a fire. • People 85 and older are more than five times as likely to die in a fire. With a few simple steps, the risk of death and injury from fire can be reduced dramatically. Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths and the second leading cause of injuries among people 65 and older. When not properly put out, cigarettes and cigars continue to burn. When a resting cigarette is knocked over, it can smolder for hours before a flaring-up. Before you light your next cigarette or cigar, remember: • Never smoke in bed. • Put your smoking materials out at the first sign of feeling drowsy. • Use heavy, deep ashtrays and fully extinguish your items. • Don't walk away from lit smoking materials How many of us give any real thought to cooking safely? Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms. Cooking is the third leading cause of fire deaths and the leading cause of injury among people 65 and older. It's a recipe for serious injury or even death to wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves), to walk away from a cooking pot on the stove, or to leave flammable materials such as potholders or paper towels around the stove. Whether you are cooking the family holiday dinner or a snack for the grandchildren: • Never leave cooking unattended. A serious fire can start in just seconds. • Always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. • Keep towels, pot holders and curtains away from flames. • Never use the range or oven to heat your home. • Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Home heating is the second leading cause of fire death and the third leading cause of injury to people 65 and older. Many of these deaths and injuries are preventable. Before you cozy up to the fireplace, make sure you: • Keep fire in the fireplace by having a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs. • Space heaters need space. Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from any location where space heaters are used. • When you buy a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over. Finally, here are three things that can increase the odds we'll “get out alive”: • Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test batteries every month and change them at least twice a year. • Develop and practice a fire escape plan at least twice a year. Keep exits clear of debris. • If at all possible, install fire sprinklers in your home. Let’s enjoy those “golden years”! Monte Wisbrock is a firefighter with and incoming president of the BBVFC, which he joined in 2001. He is a retired U.S. Army sergeant major and past president of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and was the BBVFC’s Firefighter of the Year in 2005. Monte lives in Bethany Beach with his wife, Cheryl, and can be reached at [email protected].