My old folks have aged

My old folks have grown old

-It happens so imperceptibly

-And now, at someone's gentle suggestion

Everyone calls Mom "Grandma"…

Hearing the words of this famous song, one involuntarily wonders how quickly time flies, how many truly valuable things we forget to do in the hustle and bustle of daily worries. How much we wish our dearest people would warm us with their love for as long as possible.

Our article is about those who once gave us life and who will forever remain the closest and dearest to us – our parents! Despite all obstacles, despite the distance – they will always be the dearest people who will not betray, will not leave us alone, and will share valuable advice.

But life is a cycle of events. Unfortunately, due to many reasons, some of them are left without support at a certain period of life, deprived of that cup of water in old age that they might have dreamed of while raising their child. Yet, in childhood, parents held our hands tightly, afraid to let us go even for a second: they constantly monitored our actions, our behavior, protected us from misfortunes and bad weather; they taught us rules of conduct and safety measures so that in any difficult situation, we would know what to do and how to act. Having grown up and found a partner, children often leave their parents alone. Due to all life's troubles, they forget about their mothers and fathers, pushing them to the second, or even third, plan. Unfortunately, it happens that the future life of elderly parents does not concern their adult children. They do not consider it their duty to surround them with care and thereby ensure them a full and safe old age.

Over time, that once beautiful and cozy parental home can fall into disrepair, the foundation can settle, the electrical wiring can wear out, and the main savior from the cold – the stove – needs repair. The "queen of the house," as the stove is also called, is the main source of peace of mind and pleasant warmth. It can not only warm the soul and the entire home space but also, with indifference and negligence, destroy a beloved home. Living in such an unsuitable environment, elderly people are exposed to serious trials and difficulties that they cannot cope with on their own. In this case, a great responsibility for the life and health of parents falls on their adult children. Who, if not them, should first take care of the safe condition of the house and create the most comfortable living conditions? After all, the indifference of children to the fate of elderly parents, their inattentive and careless attitude towards their old age, usually leads to sad consequences.

Alas, the daily reports from the Ministry of Emergency Situations are disheartening. "A person of retirement age" – this is most often the portrait of a fire victim. Due to their age and physical characteristics, the risk of death for elderly people is significantly higher. Of the total number of deaths in fires, % are elderly people. The causes of fires are trivial: careless handling of fire, an activated heater, operation of faulty electrical appliances, and food left unattended on the stove. Loss of vigilance, decreased visual acuity, hearing, and memory problems often lead to fires and ignitions. With the onset of deep old age, in addition to the experience and wisdom accumulated over the years, elderly people become prone to forgetfulness, inattention, and deteriorating health, which in one way or another increases the likelihood of people of venerable age getting into extreme situations. It is beyond the power of the elderly to cope with an emergency on their own, and delay and lost time significantly reduce the chances of rescue. Due to carelessness, inattention, and sometimes due to the fact that there is no one to take care, houses burn to the ground, people die, and lives are destroyed every year. Undoubtedly, a great deal of preventive work is carried out by employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations to bring the homes of "at-risk people" into a fire-safe condition, but help and attention from children and loved ones are simply necessary.

With the arrival of spring, the issue of pensioner safety does not lose its relevance. On the contrary. Year after year, spring fires and burning dry grass have become a real epidemic among the elderly. A dangerous but quick way to get rid of garbage by fire causes many problems, and even more casualties. The fault lies with the violation of fire safety rules during the cleaning of the household plot. Relying on themselves, on their strength and health, the elderly, without waiting for help from relatives, put things in order in the adjacent territory. Forgetting about their age and a whole "bouquet" of chronic diseases, it is they who, in most cases, get into dangerous situations. Elderly people often underestimate how quickly a fire can rage, and thus cannot fully control the unrestrained burning process. The phrase "Life is given to everyone, but old age is for the chosen ones..." involuntarily comes to mind. The more you think about these words, the clearer it becomes that, unfortunately, not everyone will meet old age and live it surrounded by love and care. Yes, no one has invented a cure for old age, but we have a powerful medicine in our hearts – care, kindness, love. It is worth taking just one step, not being lazy, driving even ten or a hundred kilometers – and giving a piece of your attention to your loved ones. Reminding elderly people of safety rules once again, protecting them from rash actions will not be difficult, but these simple actions will not only give you confidence in the safety of your loved ones but may also serve as an example for others to follow. For your loved ones to live a long and happy life, your help and support are very important to them.

And it's not difficult. You just need to look around and pay attention to seemingly simple, but very important things in your parents' home. An unattached pre-furnace sheet near the stove, cracks and unwhitewashed chimney, old electrical wiring, a cluttered attic with rags will sooner or later cause a fire. To avoid the agonizing bitterness of losing a loved one in the future, it is worth taking care of the safe and happy old age of your parents now, even if sometimes there is no time at all.

You ask, how to do it? In fact, everything is extremely simple. When visiting them, be sure to check if everything is in order. If it is a private household, then:

- visually inspect the stove and chimney – if there are cracks, be sure to plaster them;

- if absent, nail a metal sheet measuring 50x70 centimeters to the floor near the firebox door; it will help prevent ignition due to falling burning coals;

- clean the chimney of soot; this will improve draft and prevent ignition of soot deposits;

- remind your parents again – it is strictly forbidden to light the stove with flammable and combustible liquids, as well as to dry clothes and firewood near an open fire;

- it is forbidden to close the chimney damper of the stove until the fuel has completely burned out or the coals (ash) have been removed from the firebox. This is fraught with carbon monoxide poisoning;

- it is recommended to heat the stove two or three times a day for no more than one and a half hours. This will prevent it from overheating. Stop heating at least 2 hours before bedtime. During this time, the firewood will have time to burn out, and the chimney can be closed.

Special attention should be paid to electrical wiring and the rules for operating electrical equipment. Remember that it is not allowed to:

- use non-factory made electrical equipment;

- leave it plugged into the electrical network unattended (except for electrical equipment whose operational documentation allows its operation without supervision);

- use it for purposes other than intended and in conditions that do not comply with the fire safety requirements of the operational documentation, with damaged cable (wire), switch, sockets, and other electrical equipment;

- exceed the rated current load of the electrical extension cord.

Help your parents tidy up their garden plot, while not forgetting about fire safety rules:

- do not burn garbage and dry grass. Even a small gust of wind is enough for the fire to spread to residential buildings. It is best to take it to a landfill, and in the most extreme case, if this is not possible, maximize the safety of the burning site;

- adapt a metal barrel for these purposes, dig around its installation site;