Fire Safety Tips for People with Disabilities

Advance Preperation may be the Key to Saving Your Life in a Fire Emergency

People with disabilities may be at greater risk for fire injury because of difficulty hearing an alarm, lack of mobility to reach safety quickly, inability to crawl low under the smoke, or various other mobility, sensory or cognitive disabilities.

Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Everyone must test smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
• Smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years of use.

Live Near an Exit

• Although you have the legal right to live where you choose, you’ll be safest on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building.
• If you live in a multi-story home, arrange to sleep on the first floor.
• Being on the ground floor and near an exit will make your escape easier.

Plan Your Escape

• Plan your escape around your capabilities.
• Know at least two exits from every room.
• Place your bed close to the window you will use as an exit.
• If the window does not open easily, keep a hammer close to the window in order to break it in an emergency.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you get through the doorways.
• Make any necessary accommodations, such as providing exit ramps and widening doorways, to facilitate an emergency escape.
• Tactile markings at baseboard level show exits in low or no visibility situations.

If You are Unable to Escape

• Keep your door closed.
• Hang a sheet or cloth out the window to show the fire department where you are.
• Close the window if smoke is entering the room from the outside.

Don’t Isolate Yourself

• People with disabilities have often been excluded from the development and practicing of escape plans and fire safety drills. As a result, their vital input is omitted and their fire safety needs remain unfulfilled. Speak up to ensure that all parties receive the fire safety information that everyone deserves.
• Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
• Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
• Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.
• Contact your local fire department’s non-emergency line and explain your needs. They will probably suggest escape plan ideas, and may perform a home fire safety inspection and offer suggestions about smoke alarm placement and maintenance.

“You need a smoke alarm on each level of the home and in every sleeping area, and make sure each one actually works,” says Lori Haskett, Injury Prevention Director. Test your smoke alarms once a month and replace the batteries every six months (except for lithium batteries that last for 10 years, according to manufacturer’s instructions). A working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a fire by about 50 percent.