We provide this free safety resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

People who are deaf or have hearing impairments, those who are blind or have vision impairments, and those with mobility impairments may face unique challenges in an emergency. This is especially true of seniors with these impairments. Their ability to detect a fire or escape its effects may be hindered by their impairments. As a result, senior citizens with these impairments are at a greater risk of death or injury due to fire.

Blind or visually impaired people are faced with many challenges, not the least of which is personal safety. Interaction with an environment one cannot see creates potential health and safety hazards. As a result, blind or visually impaired seniors are at increased risk of injury and death in the event of a fire. Depending on the severity of vision loss, they may be more likely to ignite a fire accidentally through common household activities, and they are less likely to extinguish or escape one. Further, a blind or visually impaired individual is highly vulnerable to sustaining burns by attempting to suppress a small fire.

Practicing fire safety is the most effective means for a blind or visually impaired person to improve his or her chances of surviving a fire. For example, by planning and practicing an escape plan, a blind or visually impaired person can escape to safety, in the event of an actual emergency, with little time lost searching and feeling for an exit. The same general fire safety tips targeted at the seeing population address the needs of the blind or visually impaired. Unfortunately, blind or visually impaired people often have been overlooked by public fire education campaigns. Innovative ways to disseminate these life-saving messages must be sought in order to raise awareness and foster fire safety practices in the blind and visually impaired community.

The most important points to note are as follows:

* During an emergency, the senses on which visually impaired or blind individuals depend may be overwhelmed.

* High-decibel smoke alarms make it difficult for the blind individual to process audible clues and instructions effectively.

* Many buildings are not equipped with Braille or tactile signage for the visually impaired, hindering the individual’s ability to escape because of lack of directions.

* As they may not be able to process visual indicators of fire, individuals with visual impairments are at an increased risk for accidents involving fires and burn injuries.

* Public fire education is not generally formatted for, nor directed to, the blind or visually impaired.

* Practicing fire safety, rather than using improved fire technology, is the most effective means by which blind or visually impaired people can improve their chances of surviving a fire.

For a thorough discussion of the types and causes of visual impairments and blindness, especially among seniors, please read Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment in the Health Resources category of our Community Room.

People who are blind or visually impaired live in a world without images or, at best, unclear ones. For people with sight, the sense of vision is the primary means for assessing and interpreting clues in the external environment. As images are transferred to the brain, we react both physically and emotionally to what we see. Without sight, secondary senses evolve into the primary medium for living within the external environment. Those who have been blind or visually impaired for several years generally learn to adapt and hone their remaining senses to allow for largely independent living in a society that sees.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that employers and owners of public facilities provide reasonable accommodation to people of all disabilities. Federal regulations require that documents and public markings be made available in formats that can be used by people who are blind or visually impaired. Seeing-eye dogs are permitted in all public accommodations, and employers cannot discriminate against blind workers as long as they can perform the necessary duties with "reasonable accommodation."

There is little knowledge on the actual number of fire deaths and injuries among people with vision impairments, primarily because of lack of reporting and reporting mechanisms. Neither of the two national sources for fire death data - - the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) - - provides for data collection of ancillary information on the deceased. The U.S. Fire Administration’s NFIRS specifically provides a forum for both civilian fire death and fire injury data to be collected, analyzed, and interpreted; however, it does not contain an entry for the presence of physical disabilities. Available fire death and injury data regarding individuals with physical impairments must be viewed with this fact in mind.

The blind and visually impaired must take extra precautions when it comes to health and safety, and especially fire safety. Few assistive devices will provide better protection to a blind individual than self-initiated life safety practices. This segment of the population must always be prepared to react swiftly in a fire emergency, for precious time may be lost if fire safety steps that compensate for their lack of sight are not taken. Recognition of, and subsequent planning for, the potential fire safety dangers that are unique to blind and visually impaired individuals can help to preserve a person’s life in a fire emergency.

Sight is the primary sense for processing information in the environment. Loss of sight may cause an individual to ignite a fire accidentally or sustain an injury from an already lit fire. Further, people who are blind or visually impaired may be more susceptible to cooking accidents or leaving a heater too close to a flammable object.

To a blind or visually impaired person, the first indication of a fire will usually be the smell of smoke and accompanying sense of heat emanating from the fire. Unable to see exactly where the fire has originated, the visually impaired individual is less likely to be able to extinguish even a small fire. Otherwise easily extinguished flames can quickly become a serious threat.

Also dangerous is the impact that the loss of sight has on the ability to escape a fire. Relying heavily on the sense of hearing, the blind or visually impaired individual must be able to react and respond to a sounding smoke alarm. If the individual has planned and practiced two escape routes from each room in the home, the chances of surviving a fire are improved. Complications arise, however, when the blind or visually impaired individual is in a foreign environment, such as a hotel, hospital, or new nursing facility.

High-contrast markings designating exits are not always available. Inability to locate an escape route can waste the few precious minutes before smoke and toxic fumes can overcome an individual. And, high-decibel smoke alarms may inhibit the blind person’s ability to hear and process auditory clues from rescue personnel, neighbors, or others close by.

Visually impaired individuals are at risk from injuries from fires that would not necessarily harm sighted individuals. The most common cause of residential fires is cooking; many of these fires start when food cooking on the stove or in the oven ignites. Cooking fires on the stove are often easily extinguished by removing the pan from the heat source or by placing a lid over it. Oven fires can often be extinguished by reducing or eliminating the heat or by simply closing the oven door to restrict the flow of oxygen. Because visually impaired persons may not be able to recognize the early signs of a fire, his or her response to the danger may be slowed.

Before the Fire

Identify the Nearest Emergency Exit.
Whether you are at home or elsewhere, you should always know the location of the nearest exit. This could save your life in an emergency.

Install Smoke Alarms.
A working smoke alarm can make a vital difference in the event of a fire; it has the potential to reduce the risk of death in a fatal fire by 60 percent. A properly functioning smoke alarm can alert you to the presence of deadly smoke while there is still time to escape. Place alarms next to each sleeping area, on every floor of your home, and near the kitchen.

Test batteries monthly, and replace them annually. If you cannot do this yourself, ask a family member, neighbor, building manager, or someone from the fire department to assist you. Clean smoke alarms by vacuuming them regularly, or ask someone to do it for you.

Install high-decibel smoke alarms to alert you to the presence of a fire. If your smoke alarms are hardwired (connected to the electric circuitry of your residence), make sure they are also equipped with battery backups.

Live Near an Exit.
If you live in an apartment building or condominium, try to get a unit on the ground floor. If this is not possible, know where the exit stairwell is located and how to get there. Plan to wait there for help if you also have an impairment that prevents you from taking the stairs.

If you live in a multistory house, try to sleep on the ground floor. Make sure a phone is next to your bed within arm’s reach along with emergency telephone numbers.

Plan and Practice Escape Plans.
Knowing your escape plan is one of the most important steps you can take to save your life in a fire. Plan your escape around your capabilities. Know at least two exits from every room. Make sure you can unlock all your doors and windows, and be sure you know how to open your windows. If security devices, such as bars, are installed across the windows, ensure that they release from the inside.

Exit Indicators.
The confusion and disorientation of a fire in the home can be difficult to overcome. You may be forced to crawl along the floor to avoid smoke. As it can be very disorienting to crawl where you are used to walking (especially if you count steps to locate doors and hallways), it is recommended that you place markers you can feel along the baseboard of exit routes inside your home. These will help to identify where to go in case of a fire.

Involve the Fire Department.
Ask the fire department to help you plan an escape route, and inform them of your special needs. Ask the fire department to help identify fire hazards in your home and explain how to correct them. Any areas you plan to use as a rescue area must be identified and agreed upon by you and officials from the fire department. Learn the fire department’s limitations, and make fire officials aware of yours.

During the Fire

Get Out and Stay Out.
Leave your home as soon as possible. Do not try to gather personal possessions or attempt to extinguish the fire. Do not use the elevator. Once out, stay out - do not go back inside.

Test the Doors Before Opening Them.
Using the back of your hand, reach up high and touch the door, the doorknob, and the space between the door and the frame. If anything feels hot, keep the door shut and use your second exit. If everything feels cool, open the door slowly and crawl out low to the ground if smoke is present.

Stay Low and Go.
Crawl low and keep under the smoke if you can. If not, try to cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing toxic fumes and make your way to safety as quickly as possible.

What To Do If You Are Trapped.
Close all the doors between you and the fire. Stuff cracks in doors and cover all vents with a damp cloth to the best of your ability to keep smoke out. If possible, call the fire department and tell them where you are located. Signal rescuers from a window with a light-colored cloth that you keep in a predesignated place for this purpose.

Stop, Drop, and Roll.
If any part of you catches fire, do not run and do not try to extinguish the flames with your hands. Cover your face with your hands. Drop to the ground, rolling over and over. If you have another disability preventing these actions, try to keep a flame-resistant blanket or rug nearby to smother any flames.

Fire Prevention

Cooking.
Never leave the stove unattended while cooking. If you need to step away from the stove, turn it off. Wear tight-fitting clothing when cooking over an open flame, and keep towels and potholders away from the flame. If food or grease catches fire, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the heat; do not try to use water to extinguish a grease fire. When deep-frying, never fill the pan more than one-third full of oil or fat. Never put foil or other metals in the microwave. Make sure the stove is kept clean and free of grease buildup. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove so they cannot be knocked off or pulled down.

Electrical Safety.
Electric blankets should conform to the appropriate standards and have overheating protection. Do not wash blankets repeatedly as this can damage their electrical circuitry. If an appliance begins to smell suspicious or emit smoke, unplug it immediately.

Replace all frayed or broken electrical cords.
Never use an appliance with exposed wires. Never overload extension cords, and keep them out of traffic areas. Use only tested and UL-listed electrical appliances.

Smoking.
Never smoke in bed. Make sure that you are alert when you smoke. If a gas stove or oxygen source is nearby, do not smoke; place signs stating that oxygen is in use and warning visitors to refrain from smoking. Do not smoke while under the influence of alcohol or if you are taking prescription drugs that can cause drowsiness or confusion. Never leave smoking materials unattended, and collect them in large, deep ashtrays. Check around furniture, especially upholstered furniture, for any discarded or smoldering smoking materials. Before discarding them, soak the materials in the ashtray.

Space Heaters.
Give space heaters space. Keep heaters at least 3 feet from any combustible material, including people. Follow the manufacturers’ directions regarding operation, fueling, and maintenance of your space heater. Do not use heaters or other heating devices to dry clothing.

Heating.
Have your heating systems and chimneys checked and cleaned annually by a professional. Never store fuel for heating equipment in the home. Keep fuel outside or in a detached storage area or shed.

Fireplaces.
Open fireplaces can be hazardous; they should be covered with tempered glass doors and guarded by a raised hearth 9 to 18 inches high.

For more information, contact: The United States Fire Administration
Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Or visit the USFA website: www.usfa.fema.gov