Latest Statistics on Fires are Devastating for Older
Americans: Seniors Most Likely to Die
Fire safety tips for senior citizens offered by ADT;
US Fire Administrations releases data
Jan. 13, 2010 The statistics concerning senior
citizens and fire are staggering. The U.S. Fire Administration says
people over the age of 65 have a home fire death rate nearly twice the
national average. For those over 75, that risk nearly triples.
Older adults account for 32 percent of fire deaths and 12 percent of
estimated fire injuries, according to the National Fire Data Center (NFDC)
of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). In Canada, the Office of
the Ontario Fire Marshall reports that seniors over the age of 65
accounted for 30 percent of all fire fatalities reported between 1999
and 2008.
People with limited physical and cognitive abilities, especially older
adults, are at a higher risk of death from fire than other groups.
These statistics are alarming, especially when
researchers estimate that by the year 2030, there will be more than 70
million senior Americans.
Anndee Soderberg, with ADT Security Services, said,
"Taking home fire safety precautions can help keep seniors safe and can
also mean the difference between life and death."
ADT offers the following safety tips for senior
citizens.
● The American Burn Association recommends
keeping your eyeglasses, hearing aids and a flashlight close to the
bed. Looking around for these things during a fire can cost you
valuable, life-saving time.
● Never smoke in bed or while lying on the
couch. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoldering
cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths in the U.S.
● Never leave food unattended on the stove. When
leaving the kitchen, take a wooden spoon or potholder as a reminder to
return and turn off the oven and or burners.
● Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. Space
heaters can be a serious senior fire safety risk. Be extremely cautious
when using both space and kerosene heaters and always keep at least
three feet between portable heaters and anything that can burn,
including clothing, drapery, blankets, furniture, papers and even pets.
● Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and
consider monitored detection services. According to the U.S. Fire
Administration, every year over 1,200 senior citizens die in fires. Many
of these fire deaths may have been prevented with monitored smoke
detection services connected to a monitoring center that operates 24/7
and can alert seniors, their care givers and first responders to a home
fire.
● Consider technology such as bedside fire alarm
clocks and bed shakers. These are designed to awaken heavy sleepers and
seniors with hearing loss.
Soderberg said, "We hope these tips help seniors
create their own fire safety plans so they can live longer and more
independently in their own homes."
More Facts on Senior Citizens and Fire Danger
The National Fire Data Center (NFDC) of the U.S.
Fire Administration (USFA) periodically publishes
Fire in the United
States, a statistical overview of the fires in the U.S. The new
Fifteenth Edition covers the 5-year period of 2003 to 2007 with a
primary focus on 2007.
● Approximately 50 percent more men die in fires
than women. The reasons for this disparity are not known for certain.
Suppositions include the greater likelihood of men being intoxicated and
the more dangerous occupations of men (most industrial fire fatalities
are males).
● Older adult females have twice the proportion
of fire injuries than older males.
● Female fire deaths in the 70 and older age
group account for nearly one-third of female fire deaths (31 percent).
● Male fire deaths, by contrast, are higher in
the late midlife years (40 to 59). It is also known that men incur more
injuries trying to extinguish the fire and rescue people than do women.
● Males aged 15 to 54 tend to have a slightly
higher proportion of injuries, while young and older females have more
injuries than males.
● The bulk of fire-related injuries occurs in
adults aged 20 to 54. This age group accounts for over half of the fire
injuries in 2007.
As baby boomers enter retirement age, the
demographic profile of the United States is expected to change
dramatically. Over the coming decades, the older population will
increase and a corresponding increase in fire deaths and injuries among
older adults is likely.
This report shows that, overall, the fire problem
in the United States continues to improve. Five-year fire loss rates are
down. It is likely that several factors continue to contribute to these
trends:
● Smoke alarms, whose usage has become nearly
universal;
● Sprinklers, which quickly combat incipient
fires, especially in nonresidential and multifamily buildings;
● Fire codes, which have been strengthened;
● Construction techniques and materials, which
have been targeted specifically to fire prevention;
● Public education at the community, county,
State, and Federal levels; and
● Improved firefighter equipment and training.
Areas that continue to be of concern:
● The very old remain at high risk of death from
fire.
Editors Notes:
ADT Security Services is a unit of Tyco
International and part of ADT Worldwide, the world's largest electronic
security provider. In North America, ADT provides electronic security
services to nearly five million commercial, government and residential
customers. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, ADT has more than
24,000 employees at approximately 240 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
More ADT information is at
http://www.adt.com/.
