In recognition of Older Americans Month, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal is emphasizing key fire safety practices that can help protect Ohio’s older adults, especially in the event of a fire.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), people aged 65 and older are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fire compared to the general population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 19% of Ohio’s population, or 2.21 million Ohioans, are aged 65 and older.
Fortunately, there are simple steps that can significantly reduce these risks and help keep older residents safe in their homes.
One important step is to maintain a home that is free of excessive clutter, ensuring clear pathways throughout the living space. Clutter and hoarding-type situations greatly increase the risk of trips, falls, and blocked exits during an emergency.
In a fire, accumulated items act as additional fuel, allowing flames to spread faster and burn hotter. These conditions also create dangerous challenges for first responders, limiting their visibility and mobility as they work to locate residents and extinguish the fire.
Another important life‑saving measure, especially for older adults, is ensuring smoke alarms are properly installed and working. While smoke alarms cannot prevent a fire, they do provide critical early warning and precious extra time to escape. According to data from the NFPA, the risks of dying in a home fire are reduced by 60% when working smoke alarms are present.
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, in main hallways, and on every level of the home, including the basement. If an older family member, friend, or neighbor needs assistance installing alarms, testing them, or changing batteries, consider offering help. If help is not readily available, you can contact your local fire department. In most cases, they will assist with installing smoke alarms for those who need support, and many have alarms they can provide free of charge. You can also consider contacting the American Red Cross.
The Division of State Fire Marshal has additional smoke alarm safety tips available on its website. For more information on smoke alarms and protecting your home, listen to a recent episode of the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Protecting What Matters podcast.
Find more fire safety tips for Older Ohioans here or in the flier below.