FIRE STOPS WITH YOU
A Clear Fire Safety Message: A Fire Safety Factsheet for the
Visually Impaired
Over 11 million Americans are
visually impaired. During a fire emergency, the senses that
visually impaired persons rely upon have a high probability of
being overpowered.
The United States Fire
Administration (USFA), a directorate of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), encourages the visually impaired
population to practice the following precautionary steps to help
protect themselves, their home and their surroundings from the
danger of fire.
INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SMOKE
ALARMS
Make sure working smoke
alarms are installed on each level of your home. You may
want a family member or friend to assist you.
Remember to test smoke
alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a
year. You may want a family member or friend to assist you.
Audible alarms should pause
with a small window of silence between each successive cycle
so that blind or visually impaired people can listen to
instructions or voices of others.
DON’T ISOLATE YOURSELF
It is important that older
adults speak up – 70% of the severely visually impaired
population is over the age of 65.
Speak to your family
members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire
safety plan and practice it with them.
Ask emergency responders to
keep your special needs information on file.
Contact your local fire
department’s non-emergency line and explain your special
needs. They will probably suggest escape plan ideas, and may
perform a home fire safety inspection and offer suggestions
about smoke alarm placement.
LIVE NEAR AN EXIT AND PLAN
YOUR ESCAPE
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.
If necessary, have a ramp
available for emergency exits.
Unless instructed by the
fire department, never use an elevator during a fire.
If you encounter smoke,
stay low to the ground to exit your home.
Once out, stay out, and
call 911 or your local emergency number from a neighbor’s
house.
BE FIRE-SAFE AROUND THE
HOME
When cooking, never
approach an open flame while wearing loose clothing and
don’t leave cooking unattended. Use a timer to remind you
of food in the oven.
Don’t overload electrical
outlets of extension cords.
Never use the oven to heat
your home. Properly maintain chimneys and space heaters.
Keep a phone near your bed
and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a
fire occurs.
KNOW YOUR ABILITIES
Remember, fire safety is your
personal responsibility ...
Fire Stops With You!
For More Information Contact:
The United States Fire
Administration
Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
