U.S. Fire Administration

Fire Safety

Checklist

for Older Adults

FA-221/May 2010
Older people are at special risk 

for death and injury from fires.

To protect yourself 

and those you care about, 

follow these seven tips:
2

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms. Install working smoke 

alarms on every level of your home, especially inside and 

outside of sleeping areas. Test and dust each alarm monthly, 

change the batteries at least once a year, and replace the entire 

smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years. Interconnected smoke 

alarms are best because if one sounds, they all sound.

Get smoke alarms that can sound fast. Ionization and 

photoelectric smoke alarms detect distinctly different, 

yet potentially fatal, fires. Because no one can predict 

what type of fire might start in a home, the U.S. 

Fire Administration (USFA) recommends that 

every residence and place where people sleep 

be equipped with both ionization and

photoelectric smoke alarms or dual 

sensor smoke alarms (which contain 

both ionization and photoelectric 

smoke sensors).

Use Smoking Materials 

Safely. Never smoke in 

bed, while drowsy, or 

while under the influence of 

medication or alcohol. Use 

large, deep ashtrays for smoking 

debris, and let the contents cool before you 

dispose of them. Never smoke while using oxygen or 

anywhere near a medical oxygen source, even if it is 

turned off.

Pay Attention to Your Cooking. Keep pot handles 

turned inward, and keep cooking surfaces and 

surrounding areas free from clutter and grease 

build-up. Use pot holders and oven mitts. Never 

lean over a hot burner and avoid wearing loose 

clothing with flowing sleeves while cooking. Never leave food 

that is cooking on the stove unattended.
3

Heat Your Home Safely. Have a professional service all 

heating equipment annually. Keep combustibles and 

anything that can burn or melt away from all heaters, 

furnaces, fireplaces, and water heaters. Never use a 

range or oven to heat your home.

Practice Electrical Safety. Have a 

professional electrician inspect 

your home’s electrical wiring 

system at least every 10 years, and 

make recommended repairs. Never 

overload the electrical system. Plug 

each appliance directly into its own 

outlet and avoid using extension cords. 

Have an electrician install ground 

 fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in rooms 

 where water may be present. Install and maintain 

electrical appliances according 

to the manufacturers’ 

instructions.

Keep Matches and Lighters Away 

from Children. Store matches 

and lighters in a locked drawer 

or a high cabinet away from the reach of 

grandchildren or other youngsters. Make sure lighters 

are child-resistant.

Know What to Do in Case of Fire. Practice two ways out 

of every room in your home. Get out as soon as you 

discover a fire; do not try to fight the fire. Once out of 

the house, stay out; do not attempt to enter a burning home 

to gather possessions left behind. Immediately dial 9-1-1 or 

your local emergency number for help, preferably from a 

neighbor’s phone.
4

Reasons behind the

Fire Safety Checklist

for Older Adults

Older adults (age 65 and older) are 

twice as likely to die in fires as any 

other age group. The death rate for 

those 85 and over is four times the 

national average. Older people are also 

at higher risk of injury from fires. The 

following tips can help protect you and 

those you care about from fires and 

burns.

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms.

Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially 

inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test and dust each alarm monthly, and 

change the batteries at least once a year. Interconnected smoke alarms are 

best because if one sounds, they all sound.

Get smoke alarms that can sound fast. Ionization and photoelectric smoke 

alarms detect distinctly different, yet potentially fatal, fires. Because no one 

can predict what type of fire might start in a home, USFA recommends 

that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both 

ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms 

(which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors).

Smoke alarms have significantly 

reduced the risk of death or 

injury from fire. Smoke alarms 

give people an early warning that 

allows for early escape. If possible, 

install smoke alarms away from 

kitchens and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms. 
5

To control nuisance alarms, install alarms with a temporary 

silencing feature. If you are hearing-impaired, install an 

alarm that alerts using a visual signal. If necessary, get 

someone (a relative, neighbor, or fire department official) 

to help you test and clean each alarm monthly and change 

the batteries at least once a year. The entire smoke alarm 

unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.

Use Smoking Materials Safely.

Never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or while under the influence of medication 

or alcohol. Use large, deep ashtrays for smoking debris, and let the contents 

cool before you dispose of them. Douse ashes with water and place ashtrays in 

the sink. Never smoke while using oxygen or anywhere near a medical oxygen 

source, even if it is turned off. The best place to smoke is outside of the home.

Careless smoking accounts for nearly one-third of 

the fire deaths in adults over age 70. It is 

also a leading cause of fire injuries 

among older people. If you smoke, 

never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or 

while under the influence of medication or 

alcohol. Use large, deep ashtrays so smoking 

debris doesn’t fall out. Warm ashes dumped 

in wastebaskets can smolder for hours, then 

ignite surrounding trash. At the end of the day, put the 

ashtray in the sink, fill it with water, and let it sit overnight 

before you dispose of the contents. Or, dispose of cigarettes 

and matches in a metal container, such as a coffee can 

with a lid, and let it cool overnight. Check furniture for 

smoldering cigarette butts and ashes before going to bed. 

Never smoke while using oxygen or anywhere near a 

medical oxygen source, even if it is turned off. The best 

place to smoke is outside of the home. When smoking 

outside, extinguish cigarette butts in a coffee can that is 

filled with sand.
6

Pay Attention to Your Cooking.

Keep pot handles turned inward, and keep cooking surfaces and surrounding 

areas free from clutter and grease buildup. Use pot holders and oven mitts. 

Never lean over a hot burner and avoid wearing loose clothing with flowing 

sleeves while cooking. Never leave food that is cooking on the stove unattended. 

A serious fire can start in just seconds.

Cooking fires are a leading cause of burn 

injuries among older people. Prevent fires 

and burns by being watchful and alert 

when you cook, keeping pot handles 

turned inward, not overheating food 

(especially fats and oils), and keeping 

cooking surfaces clean. Always use pot 

holders and oven mitts when opening 

the oven and handling hot pots and pans to prevent 

burns. While cooking, never lean over a lit burner and 

avoid wearing loose clothing with flowing sleeves, such 

as nightgowns or bathrobes. These can catch on fire from 

a burner. Never leave food that is cooking on the stove 

unattended.

Heat Your Home Safely. 

Have a professional service all heating equipment annually. Keep combustibles 

and anything that can burn or melt away from all heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, 

and water heaters. Never use a range or oven to heat your home.

Hundreds of fires start each year when 

things that burn, such as curtains, 

clothing, bedding, gasoline, or paint 

solvents, are placed too close to heaters, 

furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, or 

water heaters. Store flammable liquids 

like cleaning solvents and gasoline 

outside of your home. Have at least 3 feet 

of clearance in all directions around portable/space heaters. 

Use the proper fuel for all heating equipment. 
7

Change filters in furnaces monthly. Keep chimneys clean. To 

prevent scalds, set the temperature of your water heater no 

higher than 120 °F (49 °C). All heating devices should be 

checked and serviced every year by a professional. Use your 

range or oven for cooking only—never to heat your home.

Practice Electrical Safety. 

Have a professional electrician inspect your home’s electrical wiring system 

at least every 10 years, and make recommended repairs. Never overload 

the electrical system. Plug each appliance directly into its own outlet, and 

avoid using extension cords. Have an electrician install ground fault circuit 

interrupters (GFCIs) in rooms where water may be present. Install and 

maintain electrical appliances according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

Homes more than 40 years old are 3 times 

more likely to catch on fire from electrical 

 causes than homes 11-20 years old. That’s 

because older wiring may not have the 

capacity to safely handle newer appliances and 

equipment and may not incorporate updated 

safety features. GFCIs are important electrical 

safety devices that offer superior protection 

against dangerous electric shock and also may prevent 

some electrical fires. Have GFCIs installed in bathroom and 

kitchen circuits, and in other locations where water and 

dampness may be present. Call a professional electrician to 

make sure you have the proper fuses, find reasons for blown 

fuses and tripped circuit breakers, replace old or damaged 

outlets, and install more outlets if needed. You are less likely 

to overload electrical outlets if you use no more than one 

high-wattage appliance on a circuit at a time. Extension 

cords are meant for temporary use only, and should be 

unplugged when not in use. If you see frayed cords on 

older appliances, have the cord repaired; better yet, replace 

the appliance altogether.
8

Keep Matches and Lighters Away from Children.

Store matches and lighters in a locked drawer or a high cabinet away from 

the reach of grandchildren or other youngsters. Make sure lighters are childresistant.

Young children are often attracted to products 

that can produce flames. Be sure to lock away 

any matches and lighters when you have young 

visitors in your home. Using lighters that are 

child-resistant can prevent deaths and injuries. 

If you light candles in your home, keep them 

out of the reach of children. Make sure candles are 

placed on a wide, flat base where they could be hard to tip.

Know What to Do in Case of Fire. 

Practice two ways out of every room in your home. Get out as soon as you 

discover a fire; do not try to fight the fire or gather possessions. Once out of the 

house, stay out; do not attempt to enter a burning home to gather possessions 

left behind. Immediately dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number for help, 

preferably from a neighbor’s phone.

Planning what to do in case of fire 

can make the difference between 

life and death. You should practice 

two ways out of every room in your 

home. If you use a wheelchair or 

walker, or otherwise might have a 

problem escaping from a fire, discuss 

your escape plans ahead of time with 

your fire department, your family, 

the building manager, and neighbors. 

Let them know about your special 

circumstances and ask them to help 

plan the best escape routes for you. 
9

The most important thing when a 

fire occurs is to get out of the house 

immediately and stay out, then call the 

fire department. If you are behind a closed 

door, feel it with your hand before opening 

it. If the door is hot, look for another 

possible exit out of the room. Make sure 

windows can be unlocked and opened, 

and security bars released. If you are 

passing through a smoky area, stoop low 

so that your head is beneath the smoke. 

If your clothes catch on fire, 

stop, gently drop to the 

ground, cover your face, 

and roll to smother 

the flames. Do not try 

to fight the fire; that 

will only delay your 

escape. Leave your 

 possessions behind, 

and never go back into 

a burning building for 

any reason.
For more information about seniors and fire safety, visit 

these Web sites:

U.S. Fire Administration, DHS

Prevent Fire. Save Lives. Campaign

www.usfa.fema.gov

National Fire Protection Association

www.nfpa.org

National Association of State Fire Marshals

www.firemarshals.org

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

www.cpsc.gov

For more information or copies of this publication, please contact:

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Fire Administration

16825 South Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727

800-561-3356

www.usfa.fema.gov

FA-221/May 2010