Cooking accidents are the leading cause of fire related injuries for older Americans. The kitchen is one of the most active and potentially dangerous rooms in the home. The unsafe use of smoking materials is the leading cause of fire deaths among older Americans. Heating equipment is responsible for a big share of fires in seniors' homes. Extra caution should be used with alternate heaters such as wood stoves or electric space heaters.
Faulty wiring is another major cause of fires affecting the elderly.
Older homes can have serious wiring problems, ranging from old appliances with bad wiring to overloaded sockets. Safety Tips for Older Americans Kitchen Fires. Most kitchen fires occur because food is left unattended on the stove or in the oven. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, take a spoon or potholder with you to remind you to return to the kitchen. Never cook with loose, dangling sleeves that can ignite easily.