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.
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
• 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
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