Older Adults

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show that people age 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a home fire as the population at large. This high risk can be greatly reduced by following simple fire prevention rules.

Making a Fire Escape Plan

Why are Older Adults at Risk?


If you are an older adult, you are at a higher risk for death and injury from fire for a number of reasons:

• You may be physically less able to take quick action in a fire emergency.
• If you are on medication, it may affect your ability to make quick decisions.
• If you live alone, others may not be around to help should an accident occur

What Fire Hazards Affect Older Adults?

• Cooking is the leading cause of fire-related injuries for older adults. The kitchen is one of the most active and potentially dangerous rooms in the home.
• The unsafe use of smoking materials is the leading cause of fire deaths among older adults.
• Heating equipment is responsible for a big share of fires in older adults’ homes. Extra caution should be used with alternative heaters such as wood stoves or electric space heaters.
• Faulty wiring is another major cause of fires affecting the elderly. Older homes can have serious problems, ranging from old appliances with bad wiring to overloaded sockets .

View or print helpful tips about how to prevent fires.

Falls are also a leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the home, but you don’t have to be a victim! View or print helpful tips about how to prevent falls.

Contact Us
For more information, contact Public Fire and Life Safety Educator, Malena Alderman
(662) 393-7466 ext.249.
Southaven Fire Department Public Fire and Life Safety Education Division
8710 Northwest Dr., Southaven, MS. 38671 ~ 2nd Floor