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Fire Safety for Older Adults

The elderly are at high risk of loss of life in fires.

Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is particularly important for older adults. It is essential to take the necessary steps to stay safe.

Did You Know?

Older adults face the greatest relative risk of dying in a fire. Older adults:

  • Represent 15% of the U.S. population but suffer 40% of all fire deaths
  • Ages 65-74 have 2.3 times the risk of dying in a fire.
  • Ages 75-84 have 2.8 times the risk of dying in a fire.
  • Ages 85+ have the highest reltive risk to the general population of dying in a fire.

Tips

  • Keep it low: If you don’t live in an apartment building, consider sleeping in a room on the ground floor in order to make emergency escape easier.
    • Make sure that smoke alarms are installed in every sleeping room and outside any sleeping areas.
    • Keep your cell phone handy, or have a telephone installed where you sleep in case of emergency.
    • When looking for an apartment or high-rise home, look for one with an automatic sprinkler system. 
  • Sound the alarm: The majority of fatal fires occur when people are sleeping, and because smoke can put you into a deeper sleep rather than waking you. It´s important to have a mechanical early warning of a fire to ensure that you wake up.
    • If anyone in your household is deaf or if your own hearing is diminished, consider installing a smoke alarm that uses a flashing light or vibration to alert you to a fire emergency. 
  • Do the drill: Conduct your own fire drills, or participate in regular fire drills to make sure you know what to do in the event of a home fire.
    • If you or someone you live with cannot escape alone, designate a member of the household to assist, and decide on backups in case the designee isn’t home. 
  • Open up: Make sure that you are able to open all doors and windows in your home. Locks and pins should open easily from inside. (Some apartment and high-rise buildings have windows designed not to open.)
    • If you have security bars on doors or windows, they should have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened easily. These devices won’t compromise your safety, but they will enable you to open the window from inside in the event of a fire.

Tips to Share

Share these graphics with your loved ones! We encourage you to print these and also share on social media.

An infographic stating that in 2018, older adults had a higher risk of dying in fires, especially those 85 and over.
A visual safety message suggesting a strobe light or bed shaker for those who can't hear alarms.
Emergency preparedness graphic advising to keep essentials like glasses or cane near bed for quick access in case of an emergency.
An infographic stating that in 2018, older adults had a higher risk of dying in fires, especially those 85 and over.
A visual safety message suggesting a strobe light or bed shaker for those who can't hear alarms.
Emergency preparedness graphic advising to keep essentials like glasses or cane near bed for quick access in case of an emergency.

Source for Content: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration