Fire department teaches senior safety class

STAFF WRITER

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link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero

Portales Fire Department’s Scott Candelaria, far left, spent Thursday afternoon at the Community Services Center filling in senior citizens and care takers on home safety and fire prevention.

Keeping homes and senior citizens safe and prepared in the case of a fire was the aim of a class conducted Thursday by the Portales Fire Department.

PFD firefighter and paramedic Scott Candelaria explained to seniors and care takers at the Community Services Center the dangers threatening senior citizens in their homes and the ways they can be prevented.

One of the often overlooked safety measures, Candelaria said, is replacing the batteries of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Candelaria said the batteries need to be replaced and tested twice a year to ensure that the devices will work in the case of an emergency.

He said an easy way to remember to replace the batteries is to replace them when changing clocks for daylight savings time.

Keeping floors clear of debris and throw rugs that could potentially trip someone walking through can help reduce injuries incurred from falling, Candelaria said.

Candelaria said that if an extension cord must be placed across a floor, it is best to keep it taped to the ground.

“Don’t create an obstacle course in your home,” Candelaria said. “Be mindful and make your home a safer place.”

In the event of a fall, wearing an emergency alert pendant can get help to a person quickly.

“We go almost every day to help people up who have fallen,” Candelaria said.

Candelaria said senior citizens should not be afraid to call the fire department if they have fallen.

He said it’s there is no charge to have the department’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) visit someone to check on them.

“We’ll go over there 24 hours a day, it doesn’t bother us, it’s what we do,” Candelaria said.

Candelaria also suggests that senior citizens keep a list of medications and allergies on their refrigerator or somewhere easily visible in case EMTs have to respond to a call where the subject is unconscious or unable to speak.

He said the list helps EMTs give the best care to the individual and prevents unnecessary complications.

For fire safety in the house, Candelaria said watching the number of appliances plugged into one outlet can prevent electrical fires.

Candelaria recommends against using cheap extension cords because they are usually not grounded and use a thin casing to house the electrical wire.

Candelaria said to keep a fire extinguisher and check it at least one every three months to make sure it is charged and working.

According to Candelaria, extinguishers should be rated as class A, B, and C. He said these extinguishers can put out fires involving paper, wood, plastic, grease, gas, and electricity.

Rita Gonzales, a senior companion, said she learned new information from the class she will tell her clients.

Gonzales said she thought of one of her clients when Candelaria warned against having too many items plugged into one electrical outlet.

“I went to this class to see what’s new and what we should do in the homes we’re in,” Gonzales said.

Maria Stewart, a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, said she liked that Candelaria was thorough in his presentation and especially liked learning about the uses for fire extinguishers.

“I’m going to go home and check mine,” Stewart said.

Stewart said the class taught her safety tips that would help her and the people she helps care for.

“I like these classes; there’s always something you can learn from them,” Stewart said.