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Creating a Safe Home Environment |
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Written by Christine Lever
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Wednesday, 13 December 2006 |
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Page 5 of 12
Fire Prevention
Does your aging parent smoke? Have ashtrays available and consider keeping water in them. Often a burning cigarette forgotten or left unattended will fall out of an ashtray and roll onto the floor, between sofa cushions, or into a magazine rack. If your loved one has a tendency to leave their cigarettes burning in an ashtray then you should take measures to prevent this hazard.
Try to discourage smoking but without getting into an argument. Sometimes distraction may work for a brief period. Even those without Alzheimer's find it easier to not smoke when distracted, especially if distracted by something enjoyable. It's those moments of boredom, inactivity or nervousness when the urge to smoke is strong.
If there is a fireplace in the home, close it up. If there is an electric or gas fireplace, turn it off when you are not in the room. Candles should not be used in the home.
If the house is heated with water radiators, make sure that the radiators are covered so as to avoid burns. You should also consider turning down the thermostat on the water heater so that scalding cannot occur.
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