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Fire Safety Knowledge and Practices Among Residents of an Assisted Living Facility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

David Jaslow ,
Jacob Ufberg ,
Russell Yoon ,
Clay McQueen ,
Derek Zecher  and
Greg Jakubowski
David Jaslow*
Affiliation:
Temple University Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Bryn Athyn Fire Company, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, USA
Jacob Ufberg
Affiliation:
Temple University Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Russell Yoon
Affiliation:
Temple University Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Clay McQueen
Affiliation:
Bryn Athyn Fire Company, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, USA
Derek Zecher
Affiliation:
Temple University Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Bryn Athyn Fire Company, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, USA
Greg Jakubowski
Affiliation:
Bryn Athyn Fire Company, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, USA
*
Albert Enstein Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of EMS/Disaster Medicine, 60 E. Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027USA E-mail: jaslowd@einstein.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) pose unique fire risks to the elderly that may be linked to specific fire safety (FS) practices.

Objective:

To evaluate self-reported FS practices among ALF residents.

Methods:

All residents of a small ALF were surveyed regarding actual and hypothetical FS behaviors, self-perceived fire risk, and FS preparedness.

Results:

Fifty-eight ALF residents completed the survey. Thirty-three 58%) individuals reported one or more disabilities. Seven (12%) residents ignored the fire alarm and 21 (35%) could not hear it clearly. Sixteen (28%) residents would attempt to locate the source of a fire rather than escape from the building. Only 24 (42%) residents were familiar with the building fire plan.Twenty-three (40%) people surveyed believed that they were not at risk of fire in the study facility.

Conclusion:

Residents of an ALF may be at increased fire injury risk due to their FS practices and disabilities.

Keywords

assisted living facilityburnselderlyEMSfire preventionfire safetyinjuryinjury prevention
Type
Brief Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , April 2005 , pp. 134 - 138
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2005

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