Part I

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.

The cold weather season is a good time to review some important home safety tips to protect yourself from fire dangers. Prevention is the best way to keep your home safe from fire.

Be kitchen wise:Use oven mitts and wear clothes with tight-fitting or rolled-up sleeves when you cook. Never leave cooking unattended. Use a timer to remind you to turn off burners and the oven. Keep stove surfaces free of clutter and built-up grease. Don’t cook if you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking medication that makes you drowsy.

Be smoker wary: Provide smokers with large, deep, non-tip ashtrays. Even consider one that has a lid that closes. Empty ashtrays often, wetting the contents before dumping them into wastebaskets. Never smoke in bed or while drinking alcohol or while you are on medications that could make you drowsy or disoriented.

Give space heaters space: Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet from everything - including you! Just brushing against one could set your clothing on fire.

Install smoke detectors: Be sure to have smoke detectors outside bedrooms or in all sleeping areas, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change their batteries once a year or when the detector is "chirping" to indicate that the battery is low. If you sleep in a room with the doors closed, install a smoke detector inside that room as well.If you have a hearing impairment, use tested and approved smoke detectors that trigger a strobe light.

Plan your escape: Know two ways out! Plan escape routes from every room in your home. During a fire, smoke or flames may block an exit, forcing you to use an alternative escape route.Know how to unlock doors and windows; windows should open easily and fully to allow escape.All security-barred windows and doors needed for escape should be equipped with quick-release devices that every household member can operate. Practice emergency exit drills to identify and eliminate obstructions. If you live in an apartment building, count the number of doorways between your apartment and the two nearest exits. During a fire, you may have to escape in the dark. No matter where you live, be familiar with all exists, including windows. If you have trouble with stairs, it may be best to sleep on the first floor.

Courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA02269.

(In our next installment, we will cover what to do if you become a fire victim. Stay tuned!)