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
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Make sure working smoke alarms are installed on each
level of your home. You may want a family member or friend to assist
you.
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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.
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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.
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Speak to your family members, building manager, or
neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
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Ask emergency responders to keep your special needs
information on file.
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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.
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Being on the ground floor and near an exit will make
your escape easier.
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If necessary, have a ramp available for emergency
exits.
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Unless instructed by the fire department, never use an
elevator during a fire.
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If you encounter smoke, stay low to the ground to exit
your home.
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Once out, stay out, and call 911 or your local
emergency number from a neighbor?s house.
BE FIRE-SAFE AROUND THE HOME
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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.
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Don?t overload electrical outlets of extension
cords.
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Never use the oven to heat your home. Properly
maintain chimneys and space heaters.
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Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or
your local emergency number if a fire occurs.