Fire Risks for the Blind or Visually Impaired

Over 11 million Americans are visually impaired. Blind or visually impaired people are faced with many challenges, not the least of which is personal safety. Interaction with an environment one cannot see creates potential health and safety hazards. As a result, blind or visually impaired people are at increased risk of injury and death in the event of a fire. During a fire emergency, the senses that visually impaired persons rely upon have a high probability of being overpowered. Depending on the severity of vision loss, they may be more likely to ignite a fire accidentally through common household activities, while they are less likely to extinguish or escape one. Further, a blind or visually impaired individual is highly vulnerable to sustaining burns by attempting to suppress a small fire.

Practicing fire safety is the most effective means for a blind or visually impaired person to improve his or her chances of surviving a fire. For example, by planning and practicing an escape plan, a blind or visually impaired person can escape to safety, in the event of an actual emergency, with little time lost searching and feeling for an exit. The same general fire safety tips targeted at the seeing population address the needs of the blind or visually impaired. Unfortunately, blind or visually impaired people often have been overlooked by public fire education campaigns. Innovative mechanisms by which to disseminate these life-saving messages must be sought in order to raise awareness and foster fire safety practices in the blind and visually impaired community.

Facts about Fire Safety and the Visually Impaired:

During an emergency, the senses on which visually impaired or blind individuals depend may be overwhelmed.
High-decibel smoke alarms make it difficult for the blind individual to process audible clues and instructions effectively.
Many buildings are not equipped with Braille or tactile signage for the visually impaired, hindering the individual’s ability to escape because of lack of directions.
As they may not be able to process visual indicators of fire, individuals with visual impairments are at an increased risk for accidents involving fires and burn injuries.
Public fire education is not generally formatted for, nor directed to, the blind or visually impaired.
Practicing fire safety, rather than using improved fire technology, is the most effective means by which blind or visually impaired people can improve their chances of surviving a fire.

The Haworth Volunteer Fire Department and the United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourage 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

Make sure working smoke alarms are installed on each level of your home. You may want a family member or friend to assist you.
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.
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.

Speak to your family members, building manager, or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
Ask emergency responders to keep your special needs information on file.
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.

Being on the ground floor and near an exit will make your escape easier.
If necessary, have a ramp available for emergency exits.
Unless instructed by the fire department, never use an elevator during a fire.
If you encounter smoke, stay low to the ground to exit your home.
Once out, stay out, and call 911 or your local emergency number from a neighbor’s house.

BE FIRE-SAFE AROUND THE HOME

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.
Don’t overload electrical outlets of extension cords.
Never use the oven to heat your home. Properly maintain chimneys and space heaters.
Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 911 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.

KNOW YOUR ABILITIES

Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...

Fire Stops With You!