How To Safeguard Seniors From The Fire?

As seniors age, their ability to escape during a fire emergency diminishes because of decreased mobility, poor eyesight, and hearing or cognitive capabilities. Compared to the other population, seniors aged 65 are likely to suffer injuries or lose their lives.

There are certain precautions you need to take in the event of a fire if you are taking care of seniors with Alzheimer, dementia, or the one having limited mobility.

Here are some tips to ensure seniors’ safety in the event that a fire breaks out.

Tips To Protect Seniors From Fire

Mobility impairments

The traditional escape routes will not be viable if the senior has limited mobility and uses a wheelchair or cane for walking. Take note of these tips to ensure seniors are safe when a fire breaks out.

Check if the wheels or walkers can get through the doorways or not.
Keep the phone near the senior’s bed to reach out to you in case of an emergency.
Install a small fire extinguisher and tell seniors how to use the same in an emergency.
Install fire protection devices such as alarms to alert the senior regarding the same.

Seniors with hearing impaired

Install assistive devices such as smoke alarms and appliances to awaken seniors who are unable to hear.
Install smoke alarms for the nearby neighbors to hear.
Find out the nearby emergency center and if they respond to texts or calls or not.

Seniors who are blind or visually impaired

Make the blind seniors practice escape routes from each room of the house.
Ask seniors to test the doors before opening them and use their senses to get out of the situation.
Ask seniors to crawl instead of walk to locate doors or hallways.

Seniors with alzheimer’s or dementia

Ensure to give one picture book to the seniors including all emergency procedures so that they can easily follow the visual instructions.
Give seniors a room that is close to the outdoors in case of an emergency.
Make sure you practice escape routes with seniors.
Alert the fire department early enough to cater to the special needs of the seniors.