When it comes to the elderly, the importance of fire safety can never be understated. According to statistics, Americans over the age of 65 are the group with the largest number of fire fatalities. Every year, more than 900 Americans aged 65 and up die in fires.
Fire Risk Factors for Older People
Every person has different physical and mental capacities, which may decline as we age. Some senior citizens swim laps and run marathons, while others in their 80s and 90s have minds that remain as sharp as ever. Yet these seniors tend to be the exception, not the norm. Most people of advanced age suffer from some form of physical and/or mental decline that limits their mobility to varying degrees and makes an escape from a fire all the more difficult.
Fire Education for the Elderly
It is important to inform and educate the elderly about the increased risk of fire for their age group. It is also equally important to do the same for their families and caretakers. National Fire Prevention month may be over, but it's never too late to visit your local fire department to obtain fire safety education. In addition to fire hazard knowledge, the elderly and their families need to know the importance of having smoke detectors and replacing their batteries each year.
Restoration after the Fire
With your family safe and sound, fire damage restoration professionals such as NWA Restore It, Inc., can help you get your life back to normal after a fire by removing water and residual moisture, drying the affected areas, and cleaning your home.