According to the office of the Ohio State Fire Marshall, a fire occurs in an Ohio residence every 30 minutes. The fire marshall’s office reports that one-third of those who die in Ohio fires are aged 60 and over.

Chief Dave Freeman of the Cleveland Heights Fire Department reports that the most common causes of house fires are overheating cooking oil or forgetting that something is on the stove, letting candles burn down to a flammable surface, falling asleep while smoking, using extension cords on a regular basis and overloading them, and forgetting to have the fireplace flue cleaned, or forgetting to open the damper when using the fireplace.

People of all ages should install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all floors of the home and in each sleeping room. Batteries should be changed twice a year, when you change your clocks. Changing the batteries requires getting up on a ladder, so ask a family member, neighbor or friend to change the batteries for you. Special detectors are available for those who are hard of hearing.

The state fire marshall’s office recommends having two escape routes from your house in case of fire, and to practice using them on a regular basis. Designate a meeting point outside, so family and friends will know where to find you.

Never stay inside a burning house to call for help. Go to a neighbor’s house or use your cell phone once you are safely outside. Get an inexpensive cell phone to use for emergencies.

If a fire occurs on the second floor and you are unable to get down the stairs, Freeman recommends closing the door to your bedroom, placing a wet towel in the crack under the door, calling the fire department, and then opening or breaking the window and yelling for help. You can also call attention to yourself by blowing a whistle or waving a brightly colored piece of clothing out the window.

Other fire safety recommendations include keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, having your furnace serviced regularly, never smoking in bed or in an easy chair, setting a timer to remind you to check on your cooking, never leaving candles unattended, and keeping flammable items at least three feet away from space heaters. It is also a good idea to keep your eyeglasses, a flashlight, a whistle and your cell phone near your bed.

Make sure that your address is clearly marked on your home in numbers large enough for the fire department to see from the street.

In an emergency, always call 911. To learn more about fire safety, you can contact our local fire departments at the following nonemergency numbers: Cleveland Heights, 216-291-2673; University Heights, 216-932-7800, ext. 208. Those with Internet access can visit the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org and click on the Safety Information tab.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.

There are many opportunities for Heights seniors to keep active. Volunteering is an option that can benefit both your neighbors and your community. Learn about local opportunities by contacting the Heights Emergency Food Center at 216-381-0707, Meals on Wheels at 216-291-2737, the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging Senior Companion Program at 216-391-9500, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at 800-942-2677, HandsOn Northeast Ohio at 216-432-9390 and many local churches and synagogues.

Seniors Helping Seniors, an in-home care company, hires seniors to work with others seniors who are in need of help. The caregivers are paid for their services, and assist with a variety of tasks to help keep their peers living independently in their homes. No previous experience is necessary, and caregivers in the Heights area are needed. Call 440-759-0319 for information.

Taking a class is another way to stay active. The Cleveland Heights Senior Activity Center (SAC) offers a variety of classes in many different subjects. There are also several clubs and interest groups you can join. Call the SAC at 216-691-7377 for more information.

Computer classes are a good way to learn how to stay connected with family members. You can also learn how to use the Internet to do your banking or read a book. Tech Deity, a husband-and-wife computer education team, will come to your home to give you one-on-one training. Owner Mely Sato said, “We help seniors embrace technology and the many benefits it offers them.” Call Tech Deity at 440-454-6042.

Other interesting classes and programs may be found by contacting the Case Western Reserve University Lifelong Learning Program at 216-368-2090, the University Heights Library Senior Spot Program at 216-321-4700, and the University Heights Senior Citizen Happenings.

The AARP offers a Driver Safety Program that teaches seniors how to adjust their driving for age-related vision and hearing changes, how medications may affect driving, and how to be more careful on the road. The class may also entitle you to an insurance discount. Contact the AARP at 888-227-7669.

Special-interest clubs are a good way to get out of the house and meet other like-minded people. Contact the Shaker Lakes Nature Center at 216-321-5935, the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association at 440-572-0464, or the Cleveland Hiking Club at [email protected]. You might also find or start a local book club, bridge or knitting club, or a support group.

Another opportunity to socialize with others is through the many hot-meal programs in the area. You can enjoy a nutritious lunch and meet new people. Call the SAC for more information.

You can also keep busy by starting a new hobby, or perhaps a project for your descendants. Put together an album of your photographs, labeled with names and dates, research your family genology, or preserve your memoir or family history in writing or on video.

Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.