1. Fire Prevention Messages
We are going to share the messages the way we would if you were a senior attending a group presentation.
Remembering When messages have been selected by means of research and expert feedback. Please use the messages with fidelity.
For more information about educational messaging from NFPA, please refer to the NFPA Educational Messages Handbook at
The EMAC Desk Reference is a helpful tool for fire educators. A

2. If you smoke, smoke outside.
Use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Wet cigarette butts and ashes before throwing them out.
Never smoke in bed.
Never smoke if medical oxygen is used in the home.
Additional Messaging:
You can also dispose of cigarette butts by burying them in the sand.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
If you live with a smoker, how can you convince her or him to smoke outside?
Why is it dangerous to smoke in bed?
Fire Message #1

3. Give space heaters space.
Keep them at least three feet (1 meter) away from anything that can burn – including you.
Shut off and unplug heaters when you leave your home or go to bed.
Additional Messaging:
Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet, and never into an extension cord or power strip.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
What are some items that typically might be too close to a space heater? (curtains, newspapers, shoes / clothing on the floor…)
Fire Message #2

4. Stay in the kitchen when frying food.
Never leave cooking unattended.
Wear tight-fitting clothing or short sleeves when cooking.
Use lightweight, easy-to-manage pans.
If a pan of food catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner.
Don’t cook if you are drowsy from alcohol or medication.
Additional Messaging:
If you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, turn off the burner.
Use a timer when cooking.
HELPFUL HINT: If you are cooking on the stovetop and leave the room, take a timer, oven mitt, or wooden spoon as a reminder that you have something cooking.
Do not cook when taking a new medication until you know how it will affect you.
Use oven mitts to handle hot pans.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Raise your hand if you are wear a top that is appropriate to cook in….
Raise you hand if your outfit is NOT appropriate to wear when using the stove….
Fire Message #3

5. Stop, Drop, & Roll. STOP DROP
If your clothes catch on fire: Stop (don’t run), Drop gently to the ground, and cover your face with your hands.
Roll over and over or back and forth to put out the fire.
Use cool water for 3 to 5 minutes to cool a burn.
Get medical help right away.
and ROLL….Over and Over
Additional Messaging:
If you cannot drop and roll, keep a blanket or towel nearby to smother flames.
If you use a wheelchair, scooter, or other device and are able to get to the floor, lock the device first before getting out and then roll until the flames are out.
If you are a bystander, consider grabbing a rug, blanket, or fire blanket to help extinguish the flames
Serious burns require medical help. Burns that blister are serious
Call 911 if:
Burns cover more than 10% of the body’s surface area
Burns are on the face or genitals
Burns completely encircle the hands or feet
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Why does Stop, Drop, and Roll work? (Fire needs oxygen; Removing the O2 help to smother the flames)
Why is it dangerous to run or to fan a fire? (Adds MORE oxygen and feeds the fire)
Fire Message #4

6. Smoke alarms save lives.
Have smoke alarms installed outside each sleeping area, on every level of your home, and in each bedroom.
Interconnected alarms are the best option. When one sounds they all sound.
Have someone test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button.
Additional Messaging:
Make sure everyone in your home can hear the smoke alarms.
If you are hard of hearing or remove your hearing aids to sleep, consider purchasing a strobe alarm and/or bed shaker.
Install carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
Replace all alarms that are 10 year old or older.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Raise your hand if you tested your smoke alarm yesterday… Last week? Last month? (Give a little prize to the first person to raise her / his hand)
What strategy do you use to remind yourself to test the smoke alarm?
What sound does a smoke alarm make?
Are you SURE you your alarm is loud enough to wake you from sleep?
Fire Message #5

7. Plan and practice your escape from fire.
If possible, know two ways out of every room in your home and two ways out of the home.
Make sure windows and doors open easily.
In a fire, get out and stay out.
Additional Messaging:
If the smoke alarms sounds, go to your pre-arranged meeting place.
The meeting place should be a permanent object that can be seen easily by arriving rescuers.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Has anyone practiced her or his escape plan recently? Tell us about it….
How long will it take you to exit your home? (Know that you may have as little as 2 minutes after the alarm sounds to exit. Practicing the plan is critical!)
Fire Message #6

8. Know your local emergency number.
It may be or the fire department’s phone number.
Once you have escaped a fire, call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone or a mobile phone.
Additional Messaging:
In case of a medical emergency, have other emergency contact numbers (neighbor, family member) near the phone to call for assistance while waiting for first responders to arrive.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
What is the risk of calling the emergency number before you escape the home?
Fire Message #7

9. Plan your escape around your abilities.
Have a telephone in your bedroom
Post the local emergency number near the phone
Have other necessary items near your bed, such as medications, glasses, wheel chair, walker, scooter, or cane.
Additional Messaging:
Consider subscribing to a medical alert system, which will provide you with a button you wear around your neck or wrist. If you have an emergency, just push the button and the service will send emergency responders.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
If you cannot escape and you are trapped in your bedroom (or any other room), what can you do to stay safe while waiting for emergency responders?
(Call 911 or emergency number immediately, hang a sheet or towel out a window to alert fire fighters of your location, stuff a towel under door jam to prevent smoke from entering…)
Fire Message #8

10. Fall Prevention Messages

11. Preventable Injuries in Older Adults: Falls
Falls are the most common cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.
One out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year but fewer than half talk to their healthcare providers about it.
A Vicious Cycle:
A fall tends to increase an older adult’s fear of falling. This fear can lead to a decrease in activity. This leads to reduced mobility and fitness which, in turn, increases the risk of falling again.
Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling. (CDC)
TBI = Traumatic Brain Injury (Clarify for audience)
Provide a reminder that Falls are an example of “Preventable” injuries….usually they are not truly “accidents”. This program is about sharing information and skills that can help older adults reduce the risk of experiencing injury related to falls.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
If you could take action to reduce your risk of falling, would you?

12. Exercise Regularly.
Exercise builds strength and improves your coordination and balance
Ask your doctor about the best physical exercise for you.
Additional Speaking Points:
Group exercise can also help you maintain your social health.
Free Resource:
Exercise : A Guide from the National Institute on Aging Free Exercise Guide: \ (800)
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
What types of exercise do you enjoy?
Has anyone tried the video game fitness programs such as Wii fit?
Fall Message #1

13. Take your time. Get out of chairs slowly.
Sit a moment before you get out of your bed.
Stand and get your balance before you walk.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Additional Comments:
Fall hazards might be electrical cords, magazines or newspapers, or even pets. Look for possible hazards (Be aware of surroundings).
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
What are the benefits of taking a moment to sit before rising when you get out of bed?
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever tripped over in your home? Could that incident have been prevented?
Fall Message #2

14. Keep walking areas & stairs clear
Keep stairs and walking areas free from hazards:
electrical cords
shoes
clothing
books & magazines
other clutter.
Additional comments:
Be CAREFUL where clearing stairs of clutter – Don’t get hurt trying to be safer!
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
How can you get the other members of your household to help keep the stairs clear?
Fall Message #3

15. Improve the lighting in and outside your home
Use night lights to light the path between your bedroom and bathroom.
Turn on the lights before using the stairs.
See an eye specialist once a year.
ADDITIONAL MESSAGING:
Poor vision can increase your chance of falling.
Keep flashlights or battery-operated lanterns close by. Camping head lanterns are a good idea, as well.
Make sure outdoor walkways are brightly lit at night.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Raise your hand if you have any motion sensor lighting outside your home….
Why do some people opt to wander around the house in the dark at night rather than using appropriate lighting? Is this a good idea?
Fall Message #4

16. Use non-slip mats
Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
Have grab bars installed on the wall in the tub and shower and next to the toilet.
ADDITIONAL MESSAGING:
Wipe up spilled liquids immediately
Keep bathroom floor dry
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Has anyone recently remodeled a bathroom at home? Did you install grab bars?
Fall Message #5

17. Be aware of uneven surfaces.
Throw rugs must have rubber, non-skid backing.
Smooth out wrinkles and folds in carpeting.
Be aware of uneven sidewalks and pavement outdoors.
ADDITIONAL MESSAGING:
Make sure indoor flooring is safe.
Consider non-skid pads under rugs.
Ask a family member, a friend, or a neighbor to clear ice and snow from outdoor stairs and walkways.
Always use hand rails, if available, and step carefully.
Don’t assume an outdoor path is safe just because you use it frequently. Be aware of cracks, bumps, or holes around footing.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Has anyone ever slid on a throw rug in the home? How can you prevent this in the future?
Fall Message #6

18. Stairways should be well lit.
Stairways should be well lit from both top and bottom.
Have easy-to-grip handrails installed along the full length of both sides of the stairs.
Additional Comments:
Many stair ways have railings on only one side. Consider have an additional railing installed if this is the case in your home.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Think about the fall messages we’ve talked about so far. Which messages can we combine to help make stairways safer? (Take your time, Be aware of uneven surfaces, Keep walking areas clear…)
Fall Message #7

19. Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes
Low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles are the best.
These are safer than high heels, thick-soled athletic shoes, slippers, or stocking feet.
Additional Comments:
Sturdy shoes can help make it easier to walk on less-than-ideal ground.
Choose safety over fashion.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Do we have to give up style for safety? Who has a pair of shoes on that are both sturdy and stylish? Show them off!
Fall Message #8

20. For more information contact:
ADD YOUR LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION TO THIS SLIDE.
Possible questions to ask to enhance engagement:
Does anyone have any questions about the fire and fall prevention messages?
What changes can you make right when you get home to increase your safety? 20