Safety Tips for Older Americans
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
Older Americans need to take special note of fire safety and accidental poisoning from medicine. According to the Home Safety Council, burns or fire is the second leading cause; and poisoning is comes in third in a list of most severe safety issues for older Americans living in their homes.
To help prevent fires
Have smoke alarms installed on every level in your home and make sure you can hear it.
Never leave anything on the stove unattended.
Don’t crowd your stove, leave room on either side to move pans.
Roll up any loose fitting sleeves when cooking, so clothing does not catch fire.
Don’t place flammable or combustible items by your stove.
Don’t smoke in bed…or that upholstered recliner where you nap.
To help prevent accidental poisoning
Purchase a medicine tracking device, like a 7-day pill holder, so you know if you’ve taken your medication or not.
Post emergency numbers by the phone. You can call 911 or call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.
Install at least one carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
Safety Tips for Older Americans
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
Older Americans want to stay in their home as long as possible because they feel safe there. What many don’t realize is that there can be a real risk of falls, fire, or poisoning in their homes. According to the Home Safety Council, falling is the number one cause of fatality for older Americans in their home. The Council found that on average 7,000 adults age 65 or older die as a result of a home injury each year. Falls are the leading cause, 52.5%, for those 65 to 74 years of age. Burns or fire is the second leading cause; and poisoning is comes in third.
To help prevent falls
Have handrails on both sides of stairs and steps.
Have sufficient lighting on stairs, especially at the top and bottom.
Put bright lights over all porches and walkways
Tape small throw rugs to the floor, or better yet, don’t use them at all.
Keep all stairs, sidewalks, and paths clear.
Have nightlights in the bedroom, hall and bathroom.
Have non-slip strips in the bathtub and shower
Have a bathmat with a non-skid bottom on the bathroom floor.
Have grab bars in the bathtub and shower
Wipe up spills when they happen
Fix broken or chipped steps and walkways as soon as possible.
To help prevent fires install a smoke alarm.
To help prevent accidental poisoning, invest in a medicine tracker, such as a 7-day pill holder.
For more information on fires and poisoning, look for the next article in this series.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours” # # #
Seventh in a series
Fire Extinguishers
St. Lucie County Fire District
Fire extinguishers can save lives, but they must be in good working order and you need to know how to operate them. The key is to become familiar with your fire extinguisher and read over the instructions BEFORE you need it.
For residential fire extinguishers, check the pressure gauge every year. If the indicator is in the red/empty zone – replace the extinguisher! Residential fire extinguishers can only be used once. Commercial fire extinguishers are required to be checked once a year by a professional. Replace your fire extinguisher every 6-12 years, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations and warranty.
Place a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, laundry room, and garage. The kitchen is a source of many house fires. Place a fire extinguisher on every level in your house.
Call 911 BEFORE you try to extinguish the fire yourself. Fire can spread quickly, so get us on the road first.
Don’t try to fight the fire with an extinguisher if the fire is bigger than a waste basket or if more than one item is on fire.
Most fire extinguishers follow a simple method, and to operate all you need to do is remember the word PASS
Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism
Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side
Become familiar with your fire extinguisher BEFORE you need it. A fire extinguisher, teamed with a smoke detector, can help keep you and your family safe.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
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Sixth in a series
Fire Safety – Toxic Fumes (HCN)
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
When a fire starts most people focus on the flames, but the more important danger is hydrogen cyanide (HCN). HCN is produced and released into the air when natural substances (like wool, silk, cotton, or paper) or synthetic substances (like plastics or other polymers) burn. Take one quick scan around your home or workplace and you can see these materials. In a house they are found in mattresses, carpeting, upholstered furniture, and blankets. Once inhaled, HCN targets the heart and brain, often incapacitating the victim within a short period of time. (HCN is only one dangerous by-products of a fire, but it is the most dangerous.) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signs and symptoms of HCN exposure include:
- Rapid breathing
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
A more extreme exposure the HCN results in:
- Convulsions
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- Loss of consciousness
- Lung injury
- Respiratory failure leading to death
Many of these symptoms are similar to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. To protect yourself, get to fresh air immediately. If you’re in a burning building, stay low to the ground, and crawl your way to safety. If exposed, rinse your eyes for 10-15 minutes with plain water, and seek medical attention. The bottom line is – when dealing with a fire, remember the flames are not the only thing to worry about. You need to get out of the building before you suffer the toxic gases being released by burning materials.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
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Fifth in a Series
Carbon Monoxide
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America – over 500 deaths each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, thousands more are treated in emergency rooms for exposure to CO each year. Carbon monoxide comes from non-electric space heaters, generators, cars, and barbecue grills, to name just a few.
Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poisonous gas. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. Carbon monoxide reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Low blood oxygen levels can result in loss of consciousness and death.
Carbon monoxide is especially toxic to mother and child during pregnancy, infants, the elderly, smokers, and people with blood or circulatory system problems, such as anemia, or heart disease according to the Mayo Clinic.
DO
Install at least one Carbon Monoxide alarm on every level of your house, follow manufacturer’s recommendations for installation.
Place one in the home near the garage.
Have your alarm inspected once a year and test it once a month
Replace your alarm every five years in order to benefit from the latest upgrades
DON’T
DON’T use charcoal or gas grills indoors, near a window, or in your garage.
DON’T use generators indoors, or in your garage.
DON’T use ovens or stoves to heat your home, this includes camping equipment.
DON’T leave your car running in an attached garage or carport
DON’T block exhaust vents or flues.
If you experience flu like symptoms while using gas appliances, get to fresh air immediately – and call 911.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
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Fourth in a series
Poisoning
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
Approximately 36 children younger than five die each year as a result of ingesting poisonous substances found in and around the home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (2002 through 2004). In 2005 close to 91,000 young children visited hospital emergency rooms and more than one million calls were placed to poison control centers as a result of unintentional poisoning. Young children are curious and use their home as a place to learn and explore. Exploring for younger children is often done by mouthing objects which puts them at greater risk of unintentional poisonings. For young children who are unable to read, a bottle of orange-scented household cleaner may be mistaken for orange juice; the medicine in a pill container may look like candy; and baby oil, which can be deadly if ingested, can resemble a clear drink. If you suspect that your child may have ingested a poison, call 911 immediately. Another helpful number is: 800-222-1222 (Poison Control Center). Post this number near the phone and make sure your babysitter knows the number is there.
Poison Prevention Tips
Lock all household products and medications out of sight and out of reach of children.
Keep items in their original containers with their original labels.
Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after each use.
Avoid taking medicine in front of children. Refer to medicine as “medicine,” not “candy.”
Clean out the medicine cabinet periodically and safely dispose of unneeded and outdated medicines.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
*(Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Third in a Series
Barbecue Grill Safety
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
Beware when you barbecue. In 2002 alone there were 4,400 reported home fires involving gas or charcoal grills in the U.S., leading to $30 million in direct property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
When using barbecue grills on decks or patios, be sure to leave sufficient space from siding, eaves and overhanging branches.
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Do not leave it unattended.
Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot “safe zone” around the grill.
With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.
NEVER use grills indoors or in any enclosed area – this includes a garage with its door open. Not only is this a fire hazard, it can expose people to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation. If you feel flu like symptoms when grilling, get to fresh air immediately. These flu like symptoms (headache, sleepy, nausea) are the first signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
When in doubt, give your grill space.
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
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Second in a Series
Heat Exhaustion & Stroke
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
Heat exhaustion can range from mild to life-threatening. And it can change for the worse very quickly. To avoid heat exhaustion dress appropriately for the weather and drink plenty of water.
Many signs of heat exhaustion are similar to the flu. These include: headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness, muscle cramps, and sweating.
For this milder form of heat exhaustion:
- Move the person to a cool or shady area.
- Loosen or remove all tight clothing.
- Encourage the victim to drink water.
- Sponge or spray the victim with cool water and fan them.
- Have someone call 911
If heat exhaustion is not monitored and remedied, Heat Stroke can occur.
The signs of a Heat Stroke include: confusion or strange behavior, vomiting, the inability to drink, skin that is red, hot and dry, shallow breathing, seizures or no response.
For this:
- Have someone call 911
- Move the person to a cool or shady area.
- Loosen or remove all tight clothing.
- Sponge or spray the victim with cool water and fan them.
- If the victim stops responding, start CPR
Things to remember when you are dealing with a Heat Stroke
- Don’t ignore the early signs
- Don’t wait to begin cooling the victim
- Don’t use anything other than water on the victim’s skin
- Don’t give the person anything to drink or eat if the victim cannot swallow or is vomiting, confused, has had a seizure, or is not responding.
- Don’t continue the cooling if the person returns to normal
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours”
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First in a Series:
Fire Statistics
From the St. Lucie County Fire District
The St. Lucie County Fire District would like to help the residents of this county stay safe. As part of this effort, you will begin seeing Safety Tips updated weekly on this blog. (These articles are also being sent to local newspapers.) We hope the information will keep you accident free and fire safe. But always remember, we are just a phone call away.
In Florida
There are more than 209 fires in Florida homes every day, according to the Florida Fire Marshal’s Office. 40% started in the kitchen; 22% were caused by faulty wiring. Other major causes include: careless smoking, children playing with matches or lighters, and unattended heating devices. More the two-thirds of Florida’s fire fatalities are age 40 and over, followed by those age 70 and over.One of the more shocking statistics is that smoke detectors are not present or are inoperative in over 52 percent of these homes.
In St. Lucie County
There were 4,524 fire related calls in 2006. While not all of these were serious, that averages over 12 calls a day. Major causes included: kitchen fires, unattended heating devices, and electrical. In many newer homes the kitchen is located near the center of the home, which means a pot left on a stove can cause major damage quickly. Even if the fire is contained to the kitchen, smoke damage can spread and make the home uninhabitable. Of those fires investigated by the Fire Prevention Bureau in 2006, 97 were accidental, 36 were arson, 10 were undetermined, and three were started by juveniles
St. Lucie County Fire District – “Our Family Serving Yours” # # #
