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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
Abstract
Assisted living facilities (ALFs) pose unique fire risks to the elderly that may be linked to specific fire safety (FS) practices.
To evaluate self-reported FS practices among ALF residents.
All residents of a small ALF were surveyed regarding actual and hypothetical FS behaviors, self-perceived fire risk, and FS preparedness.
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.
Residents of an ALF may be at increased fire injury risk due to their FS practices and disabilities.
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- Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2005
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