As daylight saving time approaches this Sunday, April 2nd, United Spinal Association reminds people with disabilities that this time of year also presents a good opportunity to review fire safety procedures in the home and in the office. The Association is offering Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users at Work and at Home, a valuable free booklet to assist wheelchair users in the proper procedures of fire safety and evacuation. Single copies may be downloaded or ordered at www.unitedspinal.org, or by calling 800-444-0120. Bulk copies are also available for a small fee.
Discussing fire safety in the home environment, Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users emphasizes prevention of, and planning for, a fire emergency, focusing on individuals with mobility impairments. Included is important information on which type of smoke or heat detector is preferred in different areas of the home, and since detectors can reduce the risk of a fire-related fatality by 60%, the booklet recommends that persons with disabilities who are unable to maintain smoke or heat detectors on their own should seek the assistance of family or friends.
Knowing what to do in the event of a smoke or fire incident requires advance planning and the local fire department is the best resource. Professional firefighters can identify potential hazards within the home and can help individuals with disabilities to plan one or more escape routes. And Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users emphasizes the most important fire planning rule: Exit the home as quickly as possible.
The booklet also contains important prevention tips when using electrical appliances in the home, when cooking, and when using space heaters and heating systems.
Since its founding in 1946, United Spinal, a national veterans service and disability rights organization, has worked to enable its members, as well as other persons with disabilities, to lead full and productive lives. In addition to helping write the American with Disabilities Act, United Spinal was also instrumental in drafting portions of the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. United Spinal promotes compliance with these laws and educates the public about them through publications and workshops held across the United States. Membership in the Association is free and open to all people with spinal cord disabilities. For more information, please visit: www.unitedspinal.org or call 800-404-2898.
