The relative risk of individuals aged 65 and over dying in a fire is 2.6 times greater than that of the general population. The risk worsens as age increases. The risk of dying in a fire soars to 4.4 times of those adults over the age of 84.
Older adults are more vulnerable in a fire than the general population due to a combination of factors including mental and physical frailties, greater use of medications and elevated likelihood of living in a poverty situation.
The leading cause of fire deaths in older adults is smoking and the leading cause of fire injuries in older adults cooking.
Following are a few simple tips to keep you and those you love fire safe:
Don’t leave smoking material unattended and never smoke in bed.
Never leave cooking unattended. Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Reference: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/focus/mar_2012_olderadult.pdf
