Know Your Family’s Fire Risk

Children and Fire Risks

Children have a greater fire risk, as they often have limitations that hinder their ability to escape. Oftentimes, children:

• Have less control over their environments.
• Have limited ability to react appropriately to a fire.
• Are asleep at the time of a fire.
• May be too inexperienced to know how to escape safely.

Fire Risk for People with Physical Limitations

Anyone who has a hearing, vision or mobility limitation may have difficulty escaping a fire, putting them at greater risk for injury.

• Persons who have hearing difficulties may not be alerted to fire dangers.
• Loud smoke alarms may make it difficult for visually impaired persons to process audible clues or instructions over the piercing sound.
• People who have limited mobility may have to rely on the physical assistance of others in order to escape safely.

Older Adults

Normal age-related changes cause minor functional limitations that increase fire risk, even in the healthiest older adults. These changes and their resulting limitations include:

• Changes in reflexes, strength, and dexterity may cause slower reaction times.
• Changes in skin can diminish the awareness of pain and compromise healing.
• Decreased lung capacity can increase the severity of a smoke inhalation injury.

In addition, disease-related conditions may be more prevalent in later life. These conditions are the primary cause of some functional limitations that would put someone at a greater fire risk, such as changes to vision, hearing, mobility or judgment. These limitations may hinder a person's ability to detect a fire or escape its effects. For example:

• A woman who has visual limitations from advanced macular degeneration could have difficulty finding her way out of a home she has lived in for 50 years.
• A man who has a moderate hearing impairment may take longer to hear and respond to a smoke alarm in the middle of the night when his hearing aid is not in place.
• A woman who has rheumatoid arthritis may not be able to get downstairs quickly.
• A man who has Alzheimer's disease may not be able to respond appropriately in a fire situation.

When you develop a fire escape plan, consider your abilities and those of every member of your household, regardless of age. Understand that anyone who has a functional limitation is at a greater fire risk. Good preparation can help minimize these fire risks and keep your family safe in an emergency.