Fire Safety Tips for the Disabled

If you have a disability, consider how it could affect your ability to escape from a fire in your home. If your disability requires special arrangements, make them part of the escape plan. For example, if you or someone you live with cannot escape alone, designate a member of the household to assist, and decide on backups in case the person isn't home.

This Way Out: It's important that people with limited mobility stay as close to safety as possible. Consider sleeping on the ground floor, making escape easier. Have a telephone installed where you sleep.

Sound the Alarm: Smoke alarms listed by a qualified testing laboratory save lives by sounding a warning and allowing people to escape. But what if you or someone in your home can't hear the alarm? Consider installing a smoke alarm that alerts with flashing lights. Some smoke alarms have a louder horn that is easier for people with impaired hearing to hear.

Stay Connected: The majority of fatal home fires happen at night, and escape might be necessary through an area with smoke or in the dark. If you are unable to leave on your own, call the fire department and tell them where you are. If you have a cordless phone, try to take it with you if you have to escape from a fire.

For more fire and emergency safety information, please visit the following MedicineNet.com areas:

• Fire Emergency Kit
• First Aid Center

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Last Editorial Review: 6/20/2002

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