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# Fire Safety for Older Adults

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##### In this section

                - Home Fires                   - Learn About Fire
                  - Prepare for Fire
                  - Prevent Fires
                  - At-Risk Audiences                     - Children
                    - College Students
                    - Disabilities
                    - Hoarding
                    - Older Adults
                    - Smoking
                  - After a Fire
                - Arson & Youth Firesetting
                - Hotels & Vacation Rentals
                - Outdoor Fires/Wildfires
                - Vehicle Fires
                - Workplace Fires
                - Life Safety Hazards
                - Fire Is Everyone’s Fight®
                - Fire Prevention Officials
                - CRR Blog

People ages 65 and over have an increased risk of dying in a fire. Having physical or mental impairments, using chemical substances such as medicines and alcohol, and living with smokers or in substandard housing are some of the risk factors that make older adults more vulnerable to fire injury and death.

Did you know:

In 2020, older adults (65+) in the United States had a2.5 timesgreater risk of dying in a firethan the total population.
More older adult fire risk statistics 

##  Messages to share with older adults and caregivers

Your risk of dying in a home fire is greater as you get older.

Discuss your fire escape plan with family and neighbors. Contact your building manager or fire department to discuss your plan if you need extra help escaping.

If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure that you can go through the doorways.

If you can’t hear your smoke alarm, consider getting one that has a different sound or one that comes with a bed shaker or strobe light.

Caregivers should check the smoke alarms of those who are unable to do it themselves.

Never smoke around medical oxygen.

Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

## Social media graphics and stock photos 

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## Pictographs 

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate fire safety messages to high-risk populations.

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## Handouts 

Customize with your logo
              -  English PDF

Customize with your logo
              -  English PDF
              -  Spanish PDF

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## Videos

 https://youtu.be/-JN8p-XX9xg

 https://youtu.be/jmcuA49U598

### More fire safety resources

          - Fire-Safe Seniors Program for older adult interventions
          - Fire safety for people with disabilities
          - Fire safety for people with hoarding disorder

Page last reviewed: April 1, 2023

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