Remembering When – a fire and fall prevention program for older adults

November is fall prevention month and the Saskatoon Fire Department wants to ensure that citizens most at risk for a fall, adults over the age of 65, are aware of the options available through the Remembering When program. Remembering When offers helpful information around fire and fall prevention aimed at reducing fires and/or falls.

Remembering When is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) designed program promoting eight fire safety and eight fall prevention messages through group presentations and home visits. The program focuses on the primary goal of helping older adults eliminate fire and fall hazards in their environment, allowing them to stay in their homes as long as desired. It also instructs older adults on what to do in the event of a fire and how to get up off of the floor if they have fallen and are not hurt.

The eight fire prevention and safety tips include:

1. If you smoke, do so outside,
2. Give space heaters space,
3. Stay in the kitchen when cooking,
4. Stop, drop, and roll,
5. Smoke alarms save lives,
6. Plan and practice your escape from fire and smoke,
7. Know your local emergency number, and
8. Plan your escape around your abilities.

The eight fall prevention and safety tips include:

1. Exercise regularly,
2. Take your time,
3. Keep stairs and walking areas clear,
4. Improve lighting,
5. Use non-slip mats,
6. Be aware of uneven surfaces,
7. Stairways should be well lit, and
8. Wear sturdy, well-fitting, low-heeled shoes with non-slip soles.

The Saskatoon Fire Department, in partnership with the Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA), conducts group presentations and home visits through the Remembering When program. This level of personalized fire and fall prevention ensures that each individual is receiving information that is relevant to their specific living situation and lifestyle. To book a group presentation or home visit, please contact Dori Krahn at the Saskatoon Fire Department 306-975-7715, or dori.krahn@saskatoon.ca.

Helpful videos with step-by-step instructions have been developed to show people how to get up from a fall, or assist somebody who has fallen and is not hurt. Click here for the video on how to get up if you have fallen and aren’t hurt and here for the video on how to assist someone up.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.