Fire Safety Tips for Elderly McLean Residents

The Fairfax County Fire Department asked that we share these cooking tips with the neighbors, in the wake of the death of an elderly McLean resident.

Carroll Adams, 91, died from injuries he suffered while cooking in his Old Meadow Road apartment Thursday night.

• Never leave cooking unattended. Remember, the kitchen is
where most home fires begin.

• Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove so they won’t
be bumped or pulled over.

• Wear short, tight-fitting, or rolled-up sleeves when cooking to
avoid catching your clothes on fire.

• If your clothes catch on fire, do not run! Stop moving, drop
to the ground, and roll back and forth while covering your nose
and mouth with your hands, until flames are extinguished.

• In microwave ovens, use only those containers approved for
microwave use.

• Stoves and ovens should be kept free of grease at all times. If
a fire should occur, turn the stove off and carefully slide a pan lid
over the pan to smother the flames. Leave the lid on until the pan
cools.

• Unplug small appliances such as coffee makers and toasters
when not in use.

Additional fire safety tips for senior citizens are attached to this story.