People age 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a home fire as any other age group in the United States, according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association. The risk can be greatly reduced by following some simple fire prevention strategies. King County’s Safe Steps program and King County Fire District 37 which serves Covington, would like to remind older adults in our community of the many ways you can protect yourself from home fires.

• Install and maintain smoke alarms.

Have working smoke alarms in the following locations: One on every level of the home, one in the hallways leading to sleeping areas, and one inside each bedroom. Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. After 10 years, their ability to detect smoke greatly diminishes. Be sure to test them monthly, vacuum them once a year and replace the batteries per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Know what to do in case of fire. Be prepared.

Sleep with your bedroom door closed; it can be a 20-minute barrier from smoke and flames.

Keep your bare essentials (cell phone, keys, eye glasses, slippers and robe) close at hand should you need to evacuate. Know two ways out of every room in your home. Plan and practice your escape – know your abilities. Once outside the home, call 9-1-1 from a portable or cell phone or from a neighbor’s house. And never go back inside a burning building.

• Prevent cooking fires. Don’t leave cooking unattended. Wear short or close-fitting sleeves while cooking to avoid catching clothes on fire. Keep pot handles turned inward to avoid bumping the pan and getting burned, and to prevent curious children from grabbing the handle and burning themselves. Keep cooking and surface areas free from clutter and grease buildup.

• Never smoke in bed or while lying on the couch, or when sleepy or while under the influence of medication or alcohol. Use large, deep ashtrays and allow cigarette remains to cool before disposing of them.

• Heat your home safely. Don’t use the oven for heating.

Have your furnace or fire place professionally inspected and serviced each year.

Give heaters their space! Keep all combustible materials (anything that can burn or melt) a minimum of three feet away from all heat sources or open flames. Unplug space heaters when not in use, when you leave home or go to bed.

• Practice electrical safety. Avoid the electrical octopus – don’t overload circuits. Use a surge protected power strip if you need to operate multiple appliances in a single location. Don’t run cords under carpets, as they can become frayed or worn, creating a fire hazard. Avoid the long-term use of extension cords; plug directly into outlets whenever possible.

• Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach from grandchildren or other youngsters, preferably in a locked cabinet or container.

We hope your golden years are filled with good health and prosperity, but if an emergency should occur, know we are there when you need us. We are your partners for life.

Melanie Taylor and Tami Kapule are public education specialists for King County Fire District 37, which serves Covington, and the Kent Fire Department.