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Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal © 2013

Fire Safety & Older Adults

Lesson Plan

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Older Adult Lesson Plan Learning Outcomes:

After attending this session, older adults will be able to:

• Describe safe cooking behaviours • Describe safe smoking behaviours • Explain the importance of leaving space around a portable heater • Describe how to use candles safely • Be aware of the hazards of overloaded electrical circuits and damaged extension cords • Describe how to prevent clothes dryer fires • Describe the Ontario law relating to the number and location of smoke and carbon

monoxide alarms in the home • Describe how to test and maintain smoke alarms • Explain how to prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide in the home • Explain the importance of home fire escape planning • Describe what to do if clothing catches fire • Describe what to do in a fire emergency

Required Resources:

Following is a list of resources the educator can use to conduct the session:

• Laptop computer • LCD projector • Speakers for computer • PowerPoint presentation or Lesson Plan • Video Clips – No Time to Spare, Putting Water on a Grease Fire • Suggested props for demonstration Smoke alarm and batteries Long sleeve bathrobe Oven mitt Pot and lid Wooden spoon Tea towel Octopus outlets, frayed extension cord, power bar Candles with a glass shade or battery operated candles

• Fire Safety Card for Older Adults • Home Fire Escape Planning card • Install Smoke Alarms: It’s the Law! card


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Component Methodology

Introduction Introduce yourself and provide an overview of your presentation. Key Points: Explain what your presentation will cover: the importance of fire safety, how to make your home fire and carbon monoxide safe and what to do if a fire occurs. Highlight what you will cover in your presentation. Indicate that you will be discussing: • The importance of fire safety • how to make your home fire and carbon monoxide safe • what to do if a fire occurs • mention that you will be showing a video to reinforce the

important messages people should be taking home. • mention how you would like questions to be asked (e.g. during

the presentation or at the end). Fire can happen to you Why is fire safety so important to older adults?

• Statistics show that adults over age 65 are at greater risk of dying in a fire than any other age group.

• And because you are typically staying in your homes longer, we want to make sure that you are safe in your home.

Where do fires occur? • Most fire deaths occur in the home, where people feel safe and secure. In Ontario, 86% of fatal fires occur in residential properties.

• The majority of preventable fires resulting in a fire death are where people live.

• So today we will focus on the essential things you can do to stay safe in your home.

Who’s dying in fires? Older adults are at the greatest risk of fire death compared with other age groups. What’s different about fires involving victims age 65+? • In Ontario, the largest percentage of fire deaths occur in the 70-

79 age group. • In this age group, more incidents occur where clothing is ignited

by smokers materials or cooking • In this age group, more victims are physically disabled • Typically, older adults may have physical limitations making them

slower to react or evacuate

Most common fire scenarios

Some of the causes of fires involving older adults are: • Cooking, and specifically unattended cooking • Cigarettes • Heating equipment, specifically the improper use of space

heaters • Candles • Electrical hazards, i.e. overloaded electrical circuits and damaged

extension cords

So let’s take a look at each of these causes and what can be done to prevent these types of fire.

Cooking Cooking is a leading cause of home fires, so you must be aware of all the hazards that lurk around the stove. Key Point: Unattended Cooking • “Look while you cook” – never leave cooking unattended. • If you leave the kitchen while cooking with oil or high temperatures,

turn off the stove, or take a spoon or oven mitt with you to remind you of the cooking.

Key Point: Clearing the Clutter from the Stove Area • Clear the clutter. • Items such as curtains, tea towels, oven mitts, pot holders and

paper towels should not be kept too close to the stovetop • Keep things that can catch fire away from your stovetop • Clutter contributes to the spread of fire Key Point: Wearing Proper Clothing • Avoid wearing loose dangling clothing while cooking • Wear tight-fitting or rolled up sleeves when cooking • Loose dangling clothing can come into contact with the burners

and catch on fire • Loose dangling clothing can also catch the pot and knock it over • If your clothing does catch fire, stop (don’t run), drop gently to the

ground cover your face with your hands and roll over and over to smother the fire. If you cannot do that, smother the flames with a towel or blanket.

[Demonstration: Educator can demonstrate Stop, Drop and Roll and how to use a towel to smother the flames]


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Cooking Key Point:

Turn Pot Handles Inward • Pot handles should be turned inward and away from the edge of

the stove to prevent anyone from knocking over the pot(s) • Turn handles inward to prevent young children from grabbing the

handles Key Point: Use an oven mitt when cooking to prevent scalds and burns • Use dry oven mitts or potholders when removing hot food from

ovens, microwaves, or stovetops • Do not use tea towels as they can dangle and catch fire • Replace old or worn oven mitts to prevent burns • Open microwave containers slowly, away from you to avoid

scalds from steam • If you do burn or scald yourself, cool the burn by running cool

water over the wound for 3 to 5 minutes • If the burn is severe, seek medical attention • Do not use lotion or butter on a burn or scald. They keep the heat

in. [Demonstration: Educator can bring prop – show proper oven mitts] Key Point: If you’ve done all these things and you still have a fire on the stovetop, let’s talk about the proper way to extinguish a fire. • Keep a proper-fitting pot lid and oven mitt near the stove when

cooking • Slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. • Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is

completely cool • Do not move the pot • If the fire does not go out, make sure everyone gets out of the

home and call 9-1-1 or the fire department from outside [Demonstration: Educator can demonstrate the proper method for extinguishing the fire using the oven mitt, pan and lid. The educator can also show the putting water on a grease fire video clip ] Does anyone have younger grandchildren? Key Point: Keep young children at least a metre away from the stove • Young children might try to touch hot things on the stove or pull

on the oven door


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Smoking Another common cause of fires is careless smoking. In fact, in Ontario, careless smoking is the number one cause of fire deaths. Key Points: • Encourage smokers to smoke outside or use large deep ashtrays

that are heavy enough so they can’t be easily knocked over. • Do not extinguish cigarettes in plant pots, which often contain

peat moss, shredded wood and bark that can easily ignite. • Never smoke in bed or when lying down. • Never smoke when you are sleepy, drinking alcoholic beverages

or when taking medications that make you drowsy. • Empty ashtrays properly - douse ashes with water or empty them

into the toilet. Make sure they are completely out. Never empty ashtrays directly into the garbage.

• A lighted cigarette that falls onto bedding or upholstery can smoulder for hours. Please be very careful with smoking materials.

• Always keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children

Portable Heaters Portable heaters are a great way to supplement your central heating, but they can also be a fire hazard if used incorrectly. Key Points: • Make sure that all combustibles/things that can burn are kept at

least one metre (three feet) away from portable heaters. • Examples of combustibles include: curtains or drapes, furniture,

blankets, bedding, newspapers, etc. Electrical Fires Electrical fires are also common in Ontario.

Key Points: • Multiple appliances plugged into one outlet can overload the

circuit, causing an electrical short and a potential fire. • Avoid overloading a circuit with “octopus outlets”. • Check cords for damage such as fraying or nicks. A damaged

cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard.

• Avoid running cords under rugs or furniture, which can damage the cord and cause a fire.

[Note to Educator: If possible, have octopus outlets and damaged or frayed cords and a power bar as props to show your audience]

Candles Does anyone burn candles in their homes?

Fires caused by candles are easily preventable. Key Points: • Secure candles in a sturdy holder, where they cannot be knocked

over • Place a glass shade or hurricane chimney over candles. • When you go out, blow out! Always blow out candles before

leaving the room. • Buy good quality candles that are smoke-free and drip-free • Make sure lit candles are kept out of reach of children and pets • Keep all combustible materials, including decorative items and

wreaths away from lit candles • A good alternative is battery operated candles [Note to Educator: show your audience examples of fire safe candles]

Clothes Dryers A leading cause of dryer fires in homes is the lack of dryer maintenance. Remember to take the following precautions: Key Points: • always use rigid or flexible metal ducting for vents • ducts that have a straight, direct path to the outdoors to reduce

lint accumulation in bends or elbows • regularly remove lint that accumulates in metal ducts and exhaust

vent • follow the manufacturer’s instructions before installing the vent • inspect and clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry • regularly inspect the air exhaust to ensure it is not restricted • ensure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is operating • turn the dryer off if you leave home or go to bed


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Carbon Monoxide What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can be deadly. CO is produced when fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances and devices such as furnaces, fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves or vehicles. Key Points: • Ensure fuel-burning heating equipment and chimneys are cleaned

and inspected by professionals every year • Use gas and charcoal barbeques outside only, away from all

windows, doors, vents, and other building openings. • Never use barbeques inside garages, even if the garage doors

are open. • Use portable generators outdoors only, in well-ventilated areas

away from all windows, doors, vents and other building openings • Ensure all fuel-burning portable heaters are vented properly,

according to manufacturer’s instructions. • Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, fireplace and other

fuel-burning appliances are always clear of snow and other debris.

• Open the flue before using a fireplace for adequate ventilation. • Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor inside a

garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it.

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Smoke Alarms Stress the importance of maintaining working smoke alarms in the

home. Key Points: • Ask the audience why it is important to have working smoke

alarms in their home • It’s the law and because fire and smoke spreads so quickly

people may have less than 60 seconds to safely escape a fire • Talk about the Ontario smoke alarm law • Stress the importance of having working smoke alarms on every

storey and outside every sleeping area. • For added protection, install smoke alarms in bedrooms. • Check to ensure you have the appropriate number of smoke

alarms installed in your home. • Follow the manufacturers’ instructions regarding the best places

to install your smoke alarms. • If they are unsure of where to install smoke alarms, call the fire

department. • Make sure the smoke alarms work. Smoke alarms need to be

tested every month by pressing the test button. [Demonstration: The educator should have a smoke alarm and batteries as props. Show the audience how to test the smoke alarm.]

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Key Points: If you have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage in your home:

• install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas in the home

If there is a fuel-burning appliance in the service room of the building you live in:

• a CO alarm must be installed outside all sleeping areas in every home adjacent to the service room

If there is a parking garage in the building you live in:

• a CO alarm must be installed outside all sleeping areas in every home adjacent to the garage


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Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Key Points: • Change the battery in each smoke and carbon monoxide alarm

once a year and whenever the low-battery warning sounds (“chirps”)

• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms wear out. Replace the smoke alarms every 10 years, including those hard-wired to the home’s electrical system. Replace carbon monoxide alarms every 7-10 years, according to manufacturer’s instructions.

[Demonstration: Educator should use props to show how to change the battery in the smoke and CO alarm.] Key Points: • Review the penalties for those found in non-compliance. • Clarify that property owners are responsible for installation and

maintenance. If a tenant disables a smoke alarm, s/he is responsible.

Outline the fire department's smoke alarm/carbon monoxide program and enforcement strategy.

False Smoke Alarms Smoke alarms can be irritating if you have many false alarms. Key Points: • False alarms can be minimized by avoiding installation of the

alarms near kitchens, bathrooms, furnaces, fire places, woodburning stoves, etc., unless you have smoke alarms specifically designed for these locations.

• Photoelectric alarms are less prone to activate due to cooking activities, consider replacing ionization smoke alarms located near kitchens with photoelectric alarms

• Never disconnect or remove the batteries in your smoke alarms. [Note to educator: be prepared to talk about the differences between photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms and the hush button feature. For example, both alarms are tested to the same standard and must meet the same level of performance Since one cannot predict the type of fire that may occur, installing both types of alarms can enhance fire safety.]


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Home Fire Escape Planning

People have to remember that working smoke alarms are not enough to ensure they safely escape a fire in their home. The fire service often finds that people don’t know what to do when the smoke alarms sound – typically because they haven’t planned how to escape their home in the event of a fire. Key Points: • Everyone in the home MUST know exactly what to do to escape

BEFORE a fire occurs • Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if

possible • Check that all exits are unobstructed and easy to use • If caught in smoke, get low and go under the smoke to the

nearest safe exit. • Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post,

where everyone can be accounted for • Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone

or neighbour’s home. • Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building. • Practice your home fire escape plan. • Every person in your home must know what to do if fire strikes. For people who live in apartment buildings and need assistance to escape: • If you live in an apartment building make sure you tell the

superintendent or landlord if you need assistance to escape. • Make sure your name is added to the persons who require

assistance list in the fire safety plan, so the fire department knows which apartment you are in

• Know the emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan.

If smoke enters your apartment: • Telephone the fire department, tell them where you are and then

move to the balcony. Close the doors behind you. • If you don’t have a balcony, go to the most smoke-free room,

close the door and seal it with tape and towels. If necessary, open the window for fresh air. Show emergency personnel where you are by hanging a sheet from the window or balcony.

• Keep low to the floor where the air is cleaner. • Listen for instructions from authorities.

[Note to educator: Have available the home fire escape planning card to distribute to the audience] • Stress that having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape

plan can increase your chances of escaping a fire in your home


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Carbon Monoxide Safety Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches,

nausea, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death. Key Points: • If the CO alarms sound, or if someone in the household is

experiencing symptoms of exposure to CO, everyone should leave the home immediately.

• Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

Know Your Emergency Number

Key Points: • Know your local emergency number. It may be 9-1-1 or the fire

department’s phone number. • Once you’ve escaped a fire or have left the home because the

CO alarms are sounding, call the fire department from outside using a cell phone or from a neighbour’s home.

• The following items should be kept close at hand in case of an emergency: telephone numbers for fire department, police and ambulance; eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheel chairs, walkers, canes, etc. when you go to bed

Remember: Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 or your local fire department.


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No Time to Spare DVD [Note to educator: show No Time to Spare to reinforce the

speed at which fire spreads and the importance of working smoke alarms and home fire escape plans] Key Points: • To reinforce the importance of maintaining working smoke

alarms, properly storing fire starting materials and practicing a home fire escape plan, I want to show you the re-creation of a fire that occurred in Ontario a few years ago in which a five-year-old boy died. The mother, father and a second child managed to escape, but the five-year-old became scared and ran back upstairs, where he perished in the fire. The fire was started by the boy, who was playing with matches.

• At the time, the Ontario Fire Code required that residences have one smoke alarm installed outside sleeping areas. This home did have a working smoke alarm outside the sleeping area on the second floor of the home.

• The Office of the Fire Marshal had the opportunity to re-create the fire in a home that was identical to that in the actual fire. For the re-creation, the OFM installed an additional smoke alarm on the first storey, as well as heat sensors and video cameras to monitor the conditions and behaviours of the fire. This re-creation provided great insight into fire growth and spread, and was instrumental in building the case for the change to the Ontario Fire Code that now requires working smoke alarms on all storeys and outside sleeping areas of all homes in Ontario.

• Ask the audience to note the amount of time that elapses from the start of the fire to the sound of the smoke alarms on each storey, as well as the time that flashover occurs. This highlights how little time there is for escape and rescue, and the absolute importance of working smoke alarms and home fire escape plans.

• After showing the DVD, ask the audience: What is your reaction to the fire re-creation? Reinforce the importance of working smoke alarms and

home fire escape planning.

Questions and Answers • Set aside time at the end of your presentation for questions from the audience. Or, take questions from the audience during your presentation. If you are taking questions during the presentation, be sure to keep them focused on the topic at hand so you don't get side-tracked from the purpose of your presentation.


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