Fire Safety Tips

Fires can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!

• Ask family or friends to help install smoke alarms, test them monthly, and change batteries each year.
• Make an escape plan that meets your special needs.
• The fire department can help you with your escape plan.
• Involve your family, building manager, or a friend in practicing your escape plan.
• Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
• Caregivers or neighbors should help assist those with disabilities escape a home or apartment fire.

People With Mobility Impairments

• Sleep on the ground floor. In an apartment building, live near the exit.
• Keep a phone and emergency numbers within arm’s reach.
• Add ramps or widen doorways, if needed, to make escape easier.
• If you use a wheelchair, consider mounting a personal fire extinguisher on the wheelchair within easy reach. Learn how to use it.
• In case of a fire, if you can’t crawl below smoke, cover your mouth and nose to avoid breathing deadly fumes.
• Never use an elevator in a fire, unless the fire department tells you to.

People With Hearing Impairments

• Install smoke alarms with flashing lights or vibrating signals.
• Keep a TTY/TTD or other communication device nearby.

People With Vision Impairments

• Install smoke alarms that have small windows of silence so you can hear instructions or voices of others.
• Consider living or sleeping on the ground floor and near an exit.

People With Disabilities and Home Fires Facts

• People with a physical or mental disability are more than twice as likely to die in a fire.
• In the event of a fire, people with disabilities often rely on help from caregivers or neighbors.