Fire safety

Beyond the age of 70, older people are increasing risk from accidental fires. The impacts on home, possessions, health and finances can be devastating. But older people can take precautions.

Fire Service figures show that older people are at risk from fatal fires any time of the day and throughout the week and have higher fire fatalities in the colder months (winter and spring).

The main causes of fires involving older people are

• heating: mistakes with heaters or open fires
• smoking: disposal of cigarettes or falling asleep while smoking.
• electric blankets: faults or forgetting that blankets are on
• other electrical faults from old wiring or old appliances
• cooking: mistakes with stoves.

Many older victims were affected by multiple health conditions, including sensory losses, limited mobility, and cognitive or neurological conditions. There were also several fatal fires in residential care settings.

You can do a lot to keep yourself safe.

• Install smoke alarms in bedrooms and living areas. Special smoke alarms are available to assist people with hearing disabilities.
• Work out an escape plan - you should know two ways of escaping from every room. If you need help developing a plan, fire-fighters can assist. Practice your escape plan every few months.
• Keep a telephone and torch by the bed.
• Always turn off your electric blanket before getting into bed.
• Don't smoke in bed, or when you’re drowsy or medicated.

Dealing with fires

The first rule is to get out if you're not sure you can handle the fire. If it has spread from its starting point then it's almost certainly already too big.

To exit, keep low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation and leave through the closest door or window. Once outside do not go back in for other people or possessions; call 111 and wait for the fire service. Turn off electricity and gas if you can reach the master switch/gas tap.

Comment

Older people are vulnerable to house fires and are a growing proportion of the population. There is a need for a national fire safety initiative to address the risks affecting older people. Effective interventions require the involvement of the New Zealand Fire Service, health and social agencies, and, most importantly, with older people’s organisations and older people who have an interest in reducing the risks they face.

Resources

The New Zealand Fire Service has a range of fire safety resources specifically designed for the seniors and delivered by fire-fighters, and people are welcome to contact their local fire station for help and advice, from having a smoke alarm installed to putting together and practicing evacuation plans.

Report: NZ Fire Service - The Risks, Perceptions and Experiences of Fire Among Older People