Dear Editor,
Older adults (age 65 and older) are twice likely to die in fires than any other age group. The death rate for those 85 and over is four times the national average. The following tips can help protect you and those you care about from fires and burns.
Install and maintain smoke detectors on every level of your home and outside each sleeping quarter.
Never smoke in bed, while drowsy or while under the influence of medication or alcohol. Use large deep ashtrays so smoking material don’t fall out. Warm ashes on furniture and in wastebaskets can smolder for hours and then ignite.
The most important thing when a fire occurs is to get out of the house immediately, and call the fire department. If you are behind a closed door, feel it with your hand before opening it; if it’s hot, exit the room some other way. Do not try to fight the fire that will only delay your escape. Leave your possessions behind and never go back into the building for any reason.
Thanks,
Kenneth Washington
Fire Marshal
