In 2019, 47.6 percent of the 110 fire deaths in Illinois were people over 60

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the Illinois Department of Aging (IDoA) are encouraging older Illinoisans to keep fire safety a top priority. Some seniors have decreased sight, hearing and restricted mobility, needs that should be considered when creating a fire escape plan. In 2019, out of the 110 fire deaths in Illinois, 47.6 percent of those deaths were people over the age of 60. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), older adults face the greatest relative risk of dying in a fire. In 2018, older adults represented 16 percent of the United States population but suffered 42 percent of all fire deaths. Those who are 85 and older were 3.8 times more likely to die in a fire than the total population.

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