Fire Safety for Older Adults: Simple Steps That Can Save Lives

As the trusted authority for fire safety for St. Louis residents, our team at the Mehlville Fire Protection District wants to remind our residents that fire safety is essential at every age, especially for older adults who face additional challenges, such as:

• Limited mobility
• Side effects of medication
• Hearing or vision challenges
• And more

These challenges become even more dangerous when an older adult also lives alone. Fortunately, a few simple precautions and lifestyle adjustments can help significantly reduce fire risks and make it easier for our older residents to respond during a fire-related emergency. Taking the first step towards enhanced fire safety for Mehlville Fire Protection District residents of all ages doesn’t have to feel daunting; it can be as simple as maintaining your household’s smoke alarms or creating an accessible escape route.

Proactively identifying common fire hazards well before they escalate into emergencies helps prevent most residential fires. With the help of these fire prevention tips, we are making it simple for our older district residents, their family members, or their caregivers to take a look around their home, look for and address potential fire risks, and create a safe living environment:

• Keep pathways clear. Remove undue clutter, create clear pathways between furniture, remove loose rugs, position electrical cords to be flush against the wall or safely tucked away, and remove all items and obstacles from hallways, stairs, and exits.
• Practice safe cooking habits. Never leave anything on the stove or in the oven unattended; keep towels, dishcloths, and all other flammable items a safe distance from the stovetop, and always check that all appliances are turned off once you’ve finished cooking.
• Practice safe heating habits. Always keep portable heaters at a safe distance, at least three feet away, from all flammable materials, such as bedding, curtains, and furniture.
• Check the condition of your electrical cords. If you find that any of your electrical cords are damaged or showing signs of fraying, replace them.
• Test and replace your smoke alarms regularly. Follow the outlined schedule for testing and replacing your smoke alarms listed in the manual for your system. Make sure all alarms can be heard from bedrooms and all other living areas.
• Never leave burning candles unattended. If you have pets or young children in your home, or even an older adult with memory or coordination problems, consider flameless candles as a safer alternative.

The first place to start when planning how to optimize an older adult’s home for safety is to consider their specific needs. ​

• Keep frequently used items within easy reach
• Secure loose rugs and flooring
• Improve lighting along all major traffic areas like hallways and stairs
• Make sure mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs are readily accessible.

Family members and caregivers should also know the home’s escape routes and any assistance an older adult may need during an emergency.

Creating a fire escape plan that is mindful of the challenges the older adults in your life face will help everyone in your household respond more quickly in the event of an emergency. When learning how to create a fire escape plan for seniors, consider these steps:

• Identify at least two ways out. Find two possible escape routes from each room when possible.
• Choose the safest primary exit. Consider which door or window can be reached most easily and safely.
• Keep escape routes clear. Remove furniture, boxes, cords, and other obstacles from hallways and exits.
• Plan for mobility and sensory limitations. Determine the best way to address specific mobility or sensory challenges that are common to older adults, such as needing assistance going down stairs, by assigning responsibilities to other household members or finding alternative routes for the affected individual.
• Identify a helper. If an older adult lives alone, identify a trusted person who can check on them or assist with their emergency planning.
• Choose an outdoor meeting place. Pick a location a safe distance from the home where everyone can meet after escaping.
• Practice the plan. Conduct regular fire drills so everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency.

If a fire should occur, it is crucial that everyone in the home or building gets out as quickly as possible. Once you have escaped the building, stay outside and call emergency services. Never go back inside a burning building.

Some of the most common household fire hazards we see for older adults are as follows:

• Cooking appliances left on or unattended
• Blocked entrances and exits
• Damaged electrical cords
• Heaters placed too close to combustible materials
• Candles

Regularly inspecting the home and addressing these hazards can help reduce fire risks.

We recommend focusing on the following areas:

• Ensuring the home is easier to navigate both for the resident and for first responders
• Make sure the older adult can detect and respond to a fire in a timely manner
• Keep all hallways and major traffic areas clear
• Secure all loose rugs and flooring
• Maintain the smoke alarm system
• Make sure all doors and windows are functional​

For older adults who have difficulty hearing or seeing traditional smoke alarms, consider alarm options designed to provide visual, tactile, or other supplemental alerts.

Important fire safety equipment for older adults can include:

• Working smoke alarms on every level of the home, and near sleeping areas
• Carbon monoxide alarms where recommended
• Fire extinguishers appropriate for household use
• Accessible emergency lighting, such as flashlights
• Specialized smoke alarms or alert devices for people with hearing or sensory limitations

Smoke alarms should be tested regularly, and batteries or the entire alarm should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keep important emergency information readily accessible and make sure family members, caregivers, or trusted neighbors understand how they can assist if an emergency occurs. Older adults who use oxygen equipment, mobility devices, or other specialized equipment should also discuss fire safety considerations with their healthcare or equipment providers.

A personalized fire safety checklist for seniors makes it easier to identify potential hazards and confirm that essential safety measures are in place.

Use this checklist as a starting point:

• Smoke alarms are installed and working.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are installed where appropriate.
• Smoke alarms can be heard or otherwise detected by everyone in the home.
• Hallways, stairs, and exits are free of clutter.
• Cooking appliances are used safely and never left unattended.
• Portable heaters are kept away from combustible materials.
• Electrical cords and outlets are in good condition.
• Candles and smoking materials are handled safely.
• Doors and windows used as exits can be opened easily.
• At least two escape routes have been identified when possible.
• A safe outdoor meeting place has been selected.
• Assistance needs have been included in the escape plan.
• The fire escape plan has been practiced.
• Everyone knows to get outside and call 911 in the event of a fire.

Fire safety planning is an important part of protecting older adults at home. Taking time to identify common fire hazards, maintain essential fire safety equipment, and practice an individualized escape plan tailored to your needs can make an emergency situation easier to navigate.

Fire safety starts with being prepared, staying aware of the risk, and knowing what to do before and during an emergency. Whether you’re an older adult, caregiver, or family member, taking simple precautionary steps to reduce fire hazards and create an effective escape plan can make a meaningful difference.

For more helpful fire safety tips, emergency preparedness resources, and information for protecting your home and loved ones, turn to the Mehlville Fire Protection District. Learn how you can take proactive steps to stay safer and better prepared for a fire emergency.

 Public Safety Resources