WICOMICO COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL PARTNERS WITH USFA TO KICK OFF NEW FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR PEOPLE AGES 50 AND OLDER

Community wide Effort to Lower Escalating Fire Death Rates Among Older Population from Careless Smoking, Cooking and Heating

Salisbury, MD, The Wicomico County Fire Marshal today launched A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus to prevent the community’s older citizens from joining fire death statistics that escalate dramatically beginning at age 65. Fire Marshal Kevin Wright, is conducting the campaign in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Management Agency (FEMA). This morning’s presentation was made to the residents of Pine Bluff Apartments.

Each year, approximately 1,100 Americans ages 65 and older die in home fires and another 3,000 are injured. People ages 65 and older are three times as likely to die in a residential fire as the rest of the population. Careless smoking, cooking and heating practices are the top three causes of fire deaths among people age 65 and older.

“We will teach people simple steps for safe smoking, cooking and heating their homes – steps that will help them avoid unspeakable tragedy,” said Kevin Wright, Wicomico County Fire Marshal. “We will also encourage our older citizens to maintain their smoke alarms, develop and practice a fire escape plan, and if at all possible, install home fire sprinklers.” Wright also noted that the campaign reaches out to the 65-plus population and to people ages 50 and older who often care for and will soon enter this high risk group.

In Maryland, people ages 65 and older made up 28 percent of residential fire deaths from 1989 to 1998 according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

“We welcome invitations from community and faith-based organizations to present fire safety programs for people ages 50 and older, their families and caregivers,” said Wright. “We will also make home visits to point out fire hazards, help plan escape routes and provide fire safety materials.”

Contact Kevin Wright at 410-548-4994 to schedule a fire safety presentation or request a home visit. A Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus campaign materials are available through the Fire Marshals’ office or via the web at www.usfa.fema.gov/50Plus.