Fire Safety for Mobility Impaired

[greaterexp]

I hope none of us ever needs this, but it's always best to be prepared as best we can. There are some good ideas and food for thought for all of us, whether in a wheelchair or not.

askus-resource-center.unite...

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Very good post and lots of useful information, greaterexp One take away here in this article is to have your cell phone with you at all times so that your never too far away from help should you ever need it. Thank you for posting.

[greaterexp in reply to carolek572]

It's something I don't give much thought to, even though I live in a real fire hazard area. I'm still mobile for the most part, but I started thinking about how I would get out of the house if it were a bad day. "Hope for the best; plan for the worst," right?

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to greaterexp]

Yes, that is what I tell myself, always.

[Fancy1959]

Great article! Thanks for sharing because it will be beneficial to all who read it. The only thing I would encourage is everyone who has any type of severe disability or Mobility to seriously think about living or building a ranch where you can access everything from one level. Obstacles like stairs and non wheelchair friendly homes can be the difference between life and death and situations of natural or man-made emergencies like fire. What is an obstacle that is defeatable to the average citizen becomes a death trap for the disabled and is often overlooked by people trying to stay in the home you love and raised your family in or lived in for years. Your home is not worth your life and if it all possible move and find a home that is all on one level for everything you need and is wheelchair accessible. Even though many of us might not need a wheelchair today, it is hard to predict even a year or two down the road what we might have a needful for. So, as a precaution make sure your home is wheelchair accessible. Don't wait until you're actually in a wheelchair and you find yourself in a home inaccessible to your needs. Let me tell you nothing is more frustrating than not being able to use each and every room that you need because of accessibility issues. Also make sure there are ramps at multiple doors that allow people in wheelchairs to exit the door without having a tragic accident trying to escape the house in times of disaster.

Once again, greaterexp, thanks for sharing the article as it was a true gym for those of us who haven't thought about emergency escape plans from our homes in times of disaster! Fancy.

[falalalala]

Good post.

[Peruzzot]

Great post. I've always wondered why at the flip of a switch stairs couldn't turn into ramps. Not only would they be safer for people without mobility issues to get out in an emergency it would keep a building from becoming a death trap for those with mobility issues.

[pamgarner]

great advice, nobody plans on a fire but we can plan to be safe

[greaterexp in reply to pamgarner]

Well said!

[jackiesj]

You must be an Eagle Scout!