Fire safety is hot topic in program for seniors
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON — Senior citizens at the Melvin Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens and the Disabled recently received a lesson about fire safety from representatives of the Ocean County Fire Marshal's office.

Chief Fire Marshal Daniel P. Mulligan related two tragic stories about senior citizens who were killed in fires and said something had to be done about the issue.

"These two stood out, and after the last one I couldn't shake it," Mulligan said. "After some discussion with the Ocean County Board of Freeholders, a program was developed and you are the first ones to be a part of it."

Mulligan said the fire marshal's office conducts fire origin investigations and promotes fire safety.

Deputy Fire Marshal William A. Hopson said the Ocean County program is the first of its kind in New Jersey and noted that it specifically targets fire prevention awareness for seniors.

"We have one of the highest percentages of senior citizen populations" in New Jersey, Hopson said. "We have about 570,000 residents in Ocean County, and there are more than 100,000 seniors in the county. That's about 20 percent of the total population. There are 91 adult communities in Ocean County, and no other county has [as many]."

Hopson explained to the seniors that local fire companies serve all municipalities.

"There is actually a fire department assigned to you," he said. "So day or night, morning, afternoon or evening, or any time of the year, you call and we will come."

Hopson said that each year in the United States about 1,100 people age 55 and over die as a result of a home fire.

A lot of seniors, he said, take medication at about 6 p.m. to help them sleep, but from midnight to 8 a.m. they are at their greatest risk. He noted that many seniors live alone and may not be able to call for help immediately.

"You may not be able to call your neighbor because they may be on the same medication you are on," Hopson said to those present. "We have some suggestions."

For people who smoke, Hopson suggested using a deep ashtray into which a lit cigarette would fall, as opposed to an ashtray where a lit cigarette could fall out if the individual falls asleep. Using smokeless self-extinguishing cigarettes might be another option, he said.

When in the kitchen, he suggested that people keep the handles of pots and pans facing inward and not over the edge of the stove.

"Electric burners still produce heat," he said. "The basic [rule] is to watch what you heat."

Flowing sleeves should be tied back with elastic bands so they will not catch fire from a flame that is produced on a gas stove.

Portable plug-in heating units should also be monitored when they are in use, Hopson told those in attendance.

"Buy a portable heater that is inspected by Underwriters Laboratories and shuts off if it tips over," he advised.

Electric fireplaces and gas fireplaces are also a concern, and both types need to have a screen in front of them.

Hopson said smoke detectors for people who have a hearing impairment are available. This type of alarm has a visual flashing and/or vibrating alert and uses a strobe light. An alarm is also available in which a person can record his own voice and message ("Wake up, there is a fire. Get out.")

He said many people react well to that type of alarm.

Hopson distributed fire alarms for individuals with a hearing impairment, and information about fire safety was available for the seniors to take.

Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari was on hand for the presentation and said, "We want to make sure that here in Ocean County we are fire-free for senior citizens. We want you to always know there is help. Your volunteer fire company is always willing to give you assistance."

He said the freeholders, through a grant, are making certain that everyone in the county has a home fire alarm. Vicari urged those in attendance to get out of the house immediately if there is a fire.

"Do not stop to look around for anything you may think is valuable," he said. "The most important thing is to leave your house."

Vicari told the seniors "it is also very important to have your heating system checked. And, a lot of times the clothes dryer filter needs to be cleaned or replaced because it gets clogged up" and that can start a fire.