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"Throw Rugs Can Throw You"

"Throw rugs can throw you." - That is one of the messages Fire Prevention Officer Jimmy Gibson talks during falls and fire prevention presentations. Called "Remembering When," his program teaches important safety measures as a way to avoid accidents, which he calls "preventable injuries."

Fire Prevention

"About 6,000 people die in fires," every year in the U.S., Gibson said. "The vast majority don't occur in schools, nursing homes ... but every night in the place people most secure -- their own home." Gibson's tips are a good reminder.

• Provide smokers with large, deep ashtrays -- Often people smoking and then falling asleep in their favorite chair can result in fire. Gibson said a cigarette can smolder for hours before for igniting a blaze, so checking cushions after smoking is a good idea.

• Give space heaters space -- Space heaters shouldn't be operated near anything that can burn.

• Be kitchen wise -- "I've seen kitchen fires burn a house down," he said.

• "Never put water on a grease fire," he said. "Flames can jump to the ceiling."

• Gibson told the residents to smother a grease fire. Even if a lid isn't needed for cooking, he suggests keeping one close by, just in case.

• "Even if you don't use a lid to fry chicken, get the lid out and ready," he said.

• Another tip is watching the cook's robes or nightwear with long sleeves. And don't forget about interruptions, he said, because "unattended cooking causes most fires."

• If the phone rings, someone knocks on the door or if the cook leaves the kitchen for any reason, Gibson suggests taking a reminder.

• "If you have to leave the kitchen, grab a wooden spoon ... if you need a memory jogger," he suggested. Timers also are helpful.

• Stop, drop and roll -- Each October, firefighter clowns teach young children at school to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire.

• If your clothes catch fire, stop where you are, get to the ground and roll over," Gibson said.

• Smoke alarms save lives -- Gibson said 90 percent of the public have smoke detectors, but about 30 percent have batteries that don't work. At the High Rise, he said each unit has wired detectors with battery backup.

• Others who rely solely on battery-operated smoke detectors should change those twice a year.

• Plan and practice your fire escape plan -- Develop a practice plan, he said, and know an escape route from every room in a building.

• At the High Rise, emergency evacuation procedures are posted on each floor. When exiting a burning structure, he said to remember to crawl low under smoke.

• "It's natural for you to want to stand up, but heat and smoke rise," he said. "In a typical house fire, it is 70 to 80 degrees one foot off the floor. It is 600 to 800 degrees at head level."

Falls prevention

Senior adults are often afraid of falling, he said, and "we're all getting older." He outlined these fall prevention tips.

• Exercise regularly -- Whether walking or stretching, keeping up muscle tone can help with balance.

• Take your time -- Gibson said when the phone rings, many are tempted to run to catch it. But for seniors, he said its "worth five seconds" to slow down and avoid taking a fall.

• Clear the way -- "Make sure the passage you use isn't cluttered up," Gibson said.

• Slippery when wet -- Bathtubs and showers can be problem areas, but grab bars and shower mats are helpful.

• Throw rugs can throw you -- Throw rugs are often the biggest problem, as they contribute to many falls. For those who must use rugs, Gibson suggests rugs with rubberized backing.

• Tread carefully -- Be careful when taking stairs, he said, and use handrails.

For more safety information or to have a City of Shawnee Prevention presentation for your group contact the City of Shawnee Fire Prevention department at 405-878-1741.