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| Important
Safety Tips |
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| The risk
of fire death for people age 65 and over is three times
greater than the risk for adults under age 65. WHY???
They may be less able to take the quick action necessary
in a fire emergency They may be on medication that affects
their ability to make quick decisions Many older people
live alone, and when accidents happen, others may not
be around to help Each year, more than 1,300 Americans
65 years old and older die in fires. What are some steps
you could take NOW to help make sure you don't lose
YOUR life in a fire?
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| SMOKE
DETECTORS |
| Having smoke
detectors that work cuts your risk of dying in a home
fire in half by providing the early warning necessary
for escape. Over 75% of U.S. homes have at least one smoke
detector, but almost half do not work! |
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Placement |
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Minimum
of one per floor Avoid false alarm prone areas,
kitchen, fireplaces, etc. Place Outside of and inside
of bedrooms. |
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Maintenance |
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Monthly
testing |
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Periodic
cleaning or dusting |
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Annual
battery change |
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| KITCHEN
FIRES |
| People over
the age of 74 suffer the highest home cooking fire death
rates in the United States. The majority of fire deaths
in this age group were caused by combustible items positioned
too close to the cooking device. Kitchens are high hazard
area for fires. Don't leave cooking unattended, but if
you must leave: |
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ALWAYS
keep a lid next to the pan you are cooking in, so
it can be easily covered |
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in
case of a small pan fire. Then, shut off burner
for cooling. Baking soda will also |
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work
well. |
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DO
NOT use water on cooking fires. |
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Never
cook with loose, dangling sleeves, such as bathrobes. |
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Regular
cleaning of cooking equipment helps keep grease
buildup in check. |
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Shut
off burners. |
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Take
a utensil or pot holder as a reminder. |
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Turn
pot handles in to avoid bumping and spilling. |
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| Burns
and Scalds |
Turn hot
water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or a low
setting or install anti-scald valves in the sink, shower
and bathtub areas.
Cool a burn by submerging in cool water (avoid ice or
butter) Place a clean, dry bandage or cloth over the
burn - Call 911 if severe Remember to "Stop, Drop
and Roll" if clothes catch fire and you are able. |
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| Smoking
Material |
| The number
one cause of fire deaths is smoking material Use large
ashtrays, with big lips, and don't leave smoking materials
unattended Empty ashtrays in toilet or sink. Never smoke
in bed If feeling drowsy, extinguish all smoking materials. |
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| Home
Escape Plans |
Most people
fail to plan what to do in an emergency, but by carefully
planning your actions ahead, injuries and deaths can be
avoided. Items to keep near your bed:
a telephone a whistle and your eyeglasses.
Put your glasses on in an emergency to see your way.
The whistle lets people know where you are and awakens
other people. The telephone to call 911 if trapped in
room and unable to escape PLAN the escape routes in
the home: primary and secondary exits from every room,
and be sure to check all windows for easy opening.
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| Practice
the Plan |
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| NEVER
RE-ENTER! If you cannot escape: call 911
on phone and let them know of your location, hang
a sheet or blanket out your window, and blow your
whistle. |
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| SPACE
HEATERS AND HEATING EQUIPMENT Keep three
feet of clearance around heating equipment. Never
place combustibles ON heaters to heat them up quickly.
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| ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT Regularly inspect electrical
and extension cords Consider UL approved outlet
strip with built-in circuit breaker Do not run extension
cords under rugs. |
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| FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS Know the classes of fire:
Class A is ordinary combustibles Class B is flammable
liquids Class C is energized electrical equipment.
Know in advance where extinguishers are kept and
the classes of fire they are effective on. Call
the fire department before attempting to use an
extinguisher. Keep an exit at your back, as a way
out in case of an emergency PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze,
and Sweep) to use fire extinguishers. |
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