Older adults account for 32 percent of fire deaths and 12 percent of estimated fire injuries, according to the National Fire Data Center (NFDC) of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). In Canada, the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall reports that seniors over the age of 65 accounted for 30 percent of all fire fatalities reported between 1999 and 2008.

People with limited physical and cognitive abilities, especially older adults, are at a higher risk of death from fire than other groups.

These statistics are alarming, especially when researchers estimate that by the year 2030, there will be more than 70 million senior Americans.

Anndee Soderberg, with ADT Security Services, said, "Taking home fire safety precautions can help keep seniors safe and can also mean the difference between life and death."

ADT offers the following safety tips for senior citizens.

  ●  The American Burn Association recommends keeping your eyeglasses, hearing aids and a flashlight close to the bed.  Looking around for these things during a fire can cost you valuable, life-saving time.

  ●  Never smoke in bed or while lying on the couch. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoldering cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths in the U.S.

  ●  Never leave food unattended on the stove. When leaving the kitchen, take a wooden spoon or potholder as a reminder to return and turn off the oven and or burners.

●  Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.  Space heaters can be a serious senior fire safety risk. Be extremely cautious when using both space and kerosene heaters and always keep at least three feet between portable heaters and anything that can burn, including clothing, drapery, blankets, furniture, papers and even pets.

  ●  Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and consider monitored detection services.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration, every year over 1,200 senior citizens die in fires. Many of these fire deaths may have been prevented with monitored smoke detection services connected to a monitoring center that operates 24/7 and can alert seniors, their care givers and first responders to a home fire.

  ●  Consider technology such as bedside fire alarm clocks and bed shakers. These are designed to awaken heavy sleepers and seniors with hearing loss.

Soderberg said, "We hope these tips help seniors create their own fire safety plans so they can live longer and more independently in their own homes."

More Facts on Senior Citizens and Fire Danger

The National Fire Data Center (NFDC) of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) periodically publishes Fire in the United States, a statistical overview of the fires in the U.S. The new Fifteenth Edition covers the 5-year period of 2003 to 2007 with a primary focus on 2007.

  ● Approximately 50 percent more men die in fires than women. The reasons for this disparity are not known for certain. Suppositions include the greater likelihood of men being intoxicated and the more dangerous occupations of men (most industrial fire fatalities are males).

  ● Older adult females have twice the proportion of fire injuries than older males.

  ● Female fire deaths in the 70 and older age group account for nearly one-third of female fire deaths (31 percent).

  ● Male fire deaths, by contrast, are higher in the late midlife years (40 to 59). It is also known that men incur more injuries trying to extinguish the fire and rescue people than do women.

  ● Males aged 15 to 54 tend to have a slightly higher proportion of injuries, while young and older females have more injuries than males.

  ● The bulk of fire-related injuries occurs in adults aged 20 to 54. This age group accounts for over half of the fire injuries in 2007.

As baby boomers enter retirement age, the demographic profile of the United States is expected to change dramatically. Over the coming decades, the older population will increase and a corresponding increase in fire deaths and injuries among older adults is likely.

This report shows that, overall, the fire problem in the United States continues to improve. Five-year fire loss rates are down. It is likely that several factors continue to contribute to these trends:

  ● Smoke alarms, whose usage has become nearly universal;

  ● Sprinklers, which quickly combat incipient fires, especially in nonresidential and multifamily buildings;

  ● Fire codes, which have been strengthened;

  ● Construction techniques and materials, which have been targeted specifically to fire prevention;

  ● Public education at the community, county, State, and Federal levels; and

  ● Improved firefighter equipment and training.

Areas that continue to be of concern:

  ● The very old remain at high risk of death from fire.