Summary & Highlights
- Fire extinguishers are not a one-size-fits-all solution and are labeled to indicate the type of fire they extinguish. Choose the right type of fire extinguisher for the type of fire you may encounter.
- Understand the instructions on how to use the extinguisher before attempting to put out a fire. Get an extra to practice with before you have an emergency.
- Most seniors and elderly people will find a small, lightweight fire extinguisher easier to use. Our favorites are the 5 pound models and aerosol fire extinguishers below.
U.S. fire departments respond to more than 300,000 house fires each year.
We know that seniors and the elderly are more vulnerable if there is a fire in their homes.
Fires can be especially risky for seniors. Even though the elderly make up 15% of the population, 40% of all fire fatalities are suffered by seniors.
That’s why it’s so important to have a fire extinguisher in the home. They are necessary but are often heavy and difficult to use.
However, with these easy-to-use devices, seniors can put out fires quickly on their own.
The Best Fire Extinguishers for Seniors
If you’re searching for a senior-friendly fire extinguisher, these are a few options worth considering:
First Alert Kitchen Fire Extinguisher
First Alert KITCHEN5 Fire Extinguisher, 1 pack, White
This fire extinguisher is specifically designed for kitchen fires.
Since the majority of home fires start in the kitchen, having a small device like this handy is ideal. It’s small, compact, and can easily fit into a kitchen cabinet.
Activating this device is simple; you just need to tug the metal pull pin. Because the device has a safety seal, seniors cannot discharge it accidentally. Checking pressure is as simple as pressing a button.
A smaller fire extinguisher like this is ideal for seniors that are living in smaller spaces. Many people avoid keeping fire extinguishers in their homes because they don’t have enough room.
This device is highly effective but also small in size. First Alert is a well-known home safety brand with a reputation for making reliable products.
This is one of the smallest fire extinguishers on the market, but that doesn’t make it any less effective.
This device can extinguish four types of fires: wood, gasoline, electrical, and oil. It can suffocate flames and cool the core of a fire so that flames won’t re-ignite.
Since these extinguishers are so small, seniors can easily purchase several and keep them throughout the home. One of these extinguishers will be readily available whenever a fire breaks out. In fact, these are small enough to store in the average pocketbook!
These tiny fire extinguishers are easy to use because they resemble an aerosol spray.
Thanks to this product’s intuitive design, seniors can quickly figure out how to use the devices when they’re in a pinch.
If the device does have to be used, clean-up will be easy: all you’ll have to do is wipe the residue away.
While it’s not the best choice for larger fires, it’s a quick-and-easy way to keep minor fires from turning into large ones.
Are you worried that your loved one won’t be able to activate a fire extinguisher in an emergency, you may want to look at a device that can activate itself.
That’s what this automatic ball can do. The small ball, weighing less than three pounds, can automatically release flame-neutralizing chemicals in an emergency.
The device comes with a stand, and activating the device is also simple. If a fire occurs when people are home, they can pick up the ball and roll it at the site of the fire. If no one is around, the ball can activate on its own, triggered by the heat of the fire.
This eco-friendly device is safe to use in any home, even in homes with pets. You’d be hard-pressed to find any fire extinguishing device that’s this easy to use.
It’s a small and simple device that can help to keep seniors safe. The device can be stored on a table or mounted on the ceiling or wall so that it’s always within easy reach.
First Alert Professional Fire Extinguisher
First Alert PRO5 Rechargeable Heavy Duty Plus Fire Extinguisher Red
If First Alert’s more compact fire extinguisher isn’t large enough to meet your needs, you may want to consider this professional-grade option.
The device can easily be mounted on the wall, which means it can be found and used quickly when a fire breaks out.
But, using the device is a bit more complex. Before the device can be used, a pin has to be pulled. From there, users must stand back 10 feet and hold the device upright as they pull the level and aim the hose in the appropriate direction.
Thankfully, though, instructions are printed right on the device. It is recommended that you get an extra for practice to ensure the user knows how to use it before an emergency.
The pressure gauge is color-coded, making it extremely easy to read. Although this device isn’t suitable for all seniors, it’s one of the best home fire extinguishers on the market today.
It even comes with a 12-year warranty. This is an incredibly reliable fire extinguisher that is capable of fighting many types of home fires.
Kidde 466180 Pro 5 Environmentally-Free Carbon Dioxide (No Longer Available)
This is a safe and durable fire extinguisher that won’t contaminate food or damage electronics when it is used. It’s capable of fighting Class B and C fires. Since it’s made of an impact-resistant metal, you can expect it to hold up well even if it’s dropped on the ground.
The Kidde Pro device is designed to be easy to use. The only thing you need to do is pull the safety pin in an emergency. Instructions for use are clearly printed on the label. Some people forget how to use fire extinguishers when they’re in a panic. With this device, that won’t be a problem.
The extinguisher can be refilled as needed, so it won’t need to be replaced after it is used. The device comes will a wall mount so that it can be secured to the wall. If the device is clearly visible, it’ll be easy to find when a fire breaks out.
Fire Extinguisher Tips for Seniors and the Elderly
- Practice using a fire extinguisher so that you know what to do in a real emergency.
- Keep a safe distance from the fire, aiming the extinguisher’s nozzle at the base of the flames.
- Aim the nozzle away from yourself and other people.
- Move slowly and steadily as you use the extinguisher.
- Keep the extinguisher upright, and never turn it upside down.
- If the fire is too large for you to handle with an extinguisher, don’t try it. Evacuate the area immediately, go to a safe place, and call 911.
Wrapping Up
Experts strongly recommend keeping an easy to use fire extinguisher in the home as part of a fire safety plan for seniors.
Because fires pose such a significant risk to seniors, it’s even more important for the elderly to have a reliable fire extinguisher – and loud smoke alarms too – in their homes.
All of these fire-extinguishing devices are incredibly effective and ideal for home use by older adults. No matter what kind of fire extinguisher you’re looking for, you should be able to find an option that suits your needs.
