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BURN
PREVENTION TIPS for SENIOR
CITIZENS
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Many
older adults are living independently or with
someone else who is elderly.
Most burn injuries among older adults
occur at home while the person is cooking,
bathing or smoking.
Common factors such as changes in
vision, hearing sense of smell, and skin
sensation, decreased mobility and dexterity,
and some medical conditions, can put older
adults at increased risk for burns and scalds
at home.
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following tips can help older adults maintain
a safe home environment: |
| Kitchen |
- To
avoid clothing fires in the kitchen, wear
snug fitting or short sleeves while
cooking.
- If
necessary, roll up long sleeves while
around the stove or open flames.
- Use
oven mitts to protect hands and arms from
burns and to prevent scald injury.
- Turn
off the burner before picking up a pot.
- Stay
in the kitchen while cooking, especially
if you are frying foods.
- If
you must leave, turn off the stove, set a
timer, or take a pot-holder with you to
remind you that the stove is on.
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- When
frying foods, keep an appropriate sized
lid nearby for the frying pan in case a
grease fire occurs.
- If
a fire occurs, stay calm, turn off the
burner, and slide the lid onto the frying
pan to smother the fire.
- Never
carry a flaming pan to the sink or
outside!
- Clothing
could catch fire and exposed skin could
burn.
- Also,
never use water in an attempt to put out a grease fire
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it can actually spread the
fire!
- Oven
fires – close the door and turn off the
heat.
- Microwave
oven fires
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keep the door closed and
unplug the microwave.
Do not use this appliance again
until serviced.
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- Remove
pans of cooking fats or oils from the
stove when not in use.
- To
avoid accidentally bumping a pan and
causing a scald, turn pot handles inward
toward the back of the stove.
- All
kitchen electrical outlets on the counter
should be equipped with ground fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
GFCIs can prevent many electrical
injuries, especially in areas where the
risk of electric shock is high.
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- Use
an oven mitt while cooking. They provide
the best protection from heat.
- When
removing items from the oven, they provide
protection to the back of the hands and
wrists.
- Dishtowels
offer little protection and can cause a
steam burn if they are used when wet or
damp.
In addition, fringe on dishtowels
can ignite easily when in contact with
flame or hot burners.
- Unplug
electrical appliances such as coffee
makers, toasters and toaster -ovens
when not in use.
- To
prevent scalds, let microwave-
cooked foods stand for 1-
to 2 minutes before removing
plastic wrap or lids and then lift the
corner farthest away from you.
- Always
keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher
available.
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| BEDROOM |
- If
you use an electric heating pad, use a
timer switch so it will shut off
automatically or choose a product with a
built-in sensor and an
automatic shut-off feature.
- If
you have an older heating pad, set a timer
to remind you to turn off the pad.
- Check
electric blankets for cracks or breaks in
wiring, plugs and connectors.
- Look
for charred spots on both sides of
electric blanket surfaces.
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- When
covered by an
other blanket
s
or comforters,
an electric blankets
may overheat. Do not allow anything on top
of an electric blanket when in use.
- Do
not fold back an electric blanket as this
may cause it to overheat.
- Tuck
in electric blankets according to the
manufacturer’s directions so that
heating coils are not bent around cords.
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| HEATING-RELATED |
- Keep
room heaters clean and in good working
condition.
- Heating
systems should be serviced professionally
annually.
- Use
the proper fuel for the type of heater and
store the fuel outside.
- Do
not use fuel-burning appliances if they
are not vented to the outside.
(Burning fuel such as kerosene, coal or
propane indoors can create concentrations
of toxic fumes).
- Use
only equipment tested and approved by an
independent laboratory.
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- Do
not store or dry objects on or near
heaters or near fireplaces.
- Provide
fire screens for fireplaces. Sparks from a
burning log can easily ignite combustibles
and start a fire.
- Keep
all combustibles, such as clothes,
curtains, and paper, at least three feet
away from space heaters, fireplaces,
candles and any other sources of fire or
flame.
- Keep
space heaters at least 3 feet away from
everything, including you. Space heaters
need space!
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| ELECTRICAL |
- Use
bulbs that are the appropriate wattage for
the size of the fixture.
This is especially important in
ceiling fixtures and in “hooded lamps”
that will trap heat. If you do not know
the correct wattage (this is usually on a
label of the appliance), use a bulb that
is not more than 60 watts.
- Check
cords on lighting, TV/audio equipment, and
extension cords for breaks, cracks, frayed
wires and damaged plugs.
- Have
appliances and lamps rewired by a
qualified electrician.
- Overheating
can occur when cords are tightly wrapped
around themselves.
- Cord
damage can result when cords are nailed or
stapled to walls or baseboards.
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- Extension
cords are not as safe as permanent wiring
and should only be used on a temporary
basis.
- Unusually
warm outlet switches may indicate that an
unsafe wiring condition exists.
Have a qualified electrician check
the switches.
- Avoid
overloading outlets or extension cords.
- Purchase
and use only extension cords that are
clearly labeled as to how much wattage
they can carry.
- If
an appliance has a three-prong plus, use
it only in a three-slot
outlet. Never force it to fit into a
two-slot outlet or extension cord.
- Keep
electrical appliances away from wet floors
and counters.
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Supported
by the International Association of Fire Fighters
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