The CDC reports that over one million burn injuries occur every year. Families need to discuss burn and fire prevention to lower the risk of an elderly parent getting a severe burn. It’s time to sit down and talk to your parents about these fire and burn prevention tips.
Install Smoke and Heat Detectors
Every home needs a smoke and heat detector on every floor of the house. Install them in each bedroom, too. Change the batteries yearly, and test the alarms each month.
Your parents also need to have a carbon monoxide detector. There should be one on every floor and in each bedroom. Again, test the alarm each month.
Once a year, when you’re changing the batteries, check the date of the alarm. They need to be replaced every ten years.
Create and Practice an Escape Plan
If there’s a fire in your parents’ home, they need to have an escape plan and practice it twice a year. That escape plan needs to have two routes. For example, people in the upstairs bedroom may not be able to get down the stairs if there’s a fire. Find an escape route that goes out the upstairs window.
Per the NFPA, only six out of ten households have created an escape plan. Even fewer practice it to familiarize themselves with the escape route. Make sure your parents have one and hold fire drills.
Avoid Common Safety Risks
One of the best ways to avoid a fire is by ensuring your parents prevent things that could lead to a fire. Make sure they have caregivers with them to provide a helping hand with meals. A senior care at home agency can answer your questions about meal preparation services.
Your parents shouldn’t leave candles burning unattended or start a fire in the fireplace and go to take a nap. They shouldn’t have space heaters near curtains, blankets, or other flammable materials.
If there is a fire, your parents need to get out of the building and stay out. They shouldn’t risk their safety to go back in to get a photo album or get cars out of the garage.
Is It Time to Have Caregivers With Your Parents?
Should your parents be alone all day? If you’re busy at work, hire senior home care aides to spend time with your parents. Burn injuries were ranked 8th for the leading cause of death in 2015. Leaving your parents alone when you’re at work or running errands isn’t a safe idea. Call a senior care at home specialist to arrange services.
If you or an aging loved one needs Senior Care at Home in Elk Grove, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/factsheets/public/burns.pdf
https://ameriburn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/nbaw-factsheet_121417-1.pdf
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