Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) officials visited the Woodland Senior Enrichment Group on Wednesday, April 2, to provide vital safety advice and engage with local seniors.
Fire Inspector John Zanzi led the discussion, focusing on fire prevention, escape planning and fall prevention.
“This is about making sure you have a plan and the right tools in place,” Zanzi said. “Emergencies happen fast, and preparation makes all the difference.”
Fire preparation
Zanzi emphasized the importance of fire prevention in the home, advising seniors to check smoke alarms regularly. Due to updated fire codes, new homes come equipped with fire alarms directly connected to electricity. However, most homes still need regular maintenance to ensure that smoke alarms are functional.
“One thing we can easily control is making sure that this is working, so every one of your houses is going to be completely different, and that’s why (we’re) here,” Zanzi said. “If they need a new battery, we ask you to purchase the battery, but we’re happy to install batteries so you don’t have to get up on a ladder or step stool to get this down and then change the battery.”
He also stressed the dangers of unattended cooking, one of the leading causes of home fires. If homeowners leave the kitchen while using an appliance, they risk starting a fire and allowing it to escalate.
“We have more kitchen fires in homes than any other type,” Zanzi said. “Kitchen fires tend to be smaller in nature because, usually, they happen when people are cooking. They’re usually alert. You’re actively involved in the cooking process typically, and so we don’t see a lot of people die in fires that start in the kitchen.”
Woodland senior Vikki Bunger shared a story about a relative who left a potato in the microwave for 33 minutes instead of an intended three minutes. Although a small fire started, it was fortunately contained. She highlighted the importance of staying vigilant while cooking.
“I know a lot of people put things in the microwave, walk around and do a lot of other things, but things like that can still happen,” Zanzi said. “... It only takes a second for a fire to start.”
Having a plan in place is key to surviving a fire. Zanzi advised seniors to identify at least two ways out of the home and ensure windows can be opened easily in an emergency. Should windows not be a safe exit but seem like the only option, the fire team can be signaled to make a rescue.
“If you can’t get out of the room that you’re staying in, barricade yourself and try to keep the smoke from getting in the room and then open the window and signal us,” Zanzi said. “... We don’t worry about the fire. We go into rescue mode, put ladders up (and) carry you down.
He also recommended keeping a fire extinguisher near the home’s main exit, ensuring an escape is possible if the fire cannot be fought. Zanzi highlighted the PASS system for fire extinguishers: pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep the nozzle side-to-side to ensure widespread coverage.
Preventing falls
Falls are a major concern for seniors, and Zanzi offered practical advice on minimizing risks. He recommended tightly securing loose rugs, improving lighting and keeping commonly used items within easy reach to prevent unnecessary climbing. Homeowners should be vigilant around small pets, especially excited dogs, who tend to cause falls
“We noticed about five years ago, about 10% to 15% of our calls just in the district were for falls, which is an incredible amount of stuff that can be prevented, and a lot of injuries really come from that,” Zanzi said. “One thing we’ve seen, though, is a lot of these are preventable, and that’s really the good news.”
He also advised seniors to avoid wearing socks on hard flooring and to consider installing grab bars in key areas, with stairs and bathrooms being major highlights.
The CARES program
To further assist seniors, CCFR’s CARES program offers support for those in need of social, medical or home safety assistance. CARES Program Manager Sam Lewis explained how the program helps individuals find resources and reduce dependence on 911.
“We’re here to help people get the support they need,” Lewis said. “That includes medical assessments, home safety checks and making connections to the right services.”
The CARES program offers two services: the CARES 21 Acute Co-Responders Team, which assists in behavioral health and social crises, and the CARES 22 Referral Follow-Up Team, which provides ongoing support to at-risk individuals.
“If you’re in trouble and call 911, we want you to continue doing that, but a lot of times there are other things that could be done to prevent the reason you called 911. Or that 911 call is significant enough to where you’re (needing) the assistance afterward,” Lewis said. “We can come over and check out your home, maybe give you some pointers so you don’t have to fall again, or we can prevent that fall.”
For more information on the CARES program, visit clarkfr.org/cares.
