Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you provide some fire safety tips for seniors? My elderly parents have had some close calls lately which really worry me. What can you tell me?

Fire Phobic Frank

Dear Frank,

Each year, more than 4,000 Americans die, and approximately 25,000 more are injured in home fires - and seniors are especially vulnerable. Here's what you should know.

Senior Fire Prevention

Statistics show that seniors ages 65 and older are three times more likely to die or be injured in a home fire than those younger. But with a little fire safety planning (see www.firesafety.gov), you can help protect your parents. The three most common causes of home fires among the elderly are smoking, cooking and alternative heating devices. Here are some tips that can help.

Smoke Safely

Careless smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths in the United States and the second leading cause of injuries among seniors. If your parents smoke, remind them to:

Never smoke in bed.

Put their cigarette or cigar out at the first sign of feeling drowsy while watching television or reading. Also note that drinking alcohol or taking medications that make them sleepy (check with their doctor) can add to this problem.

Use deep ashtrays and put their cigarettes all the way out.

Don't walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials.

Cook Safely

Cooking fires are the number one cause of fire injuries among the elderly. Some tips to keep in mind are:

Never leave food cooking on a stove top unattended.

Keep handles on your pots and pans turned inward.

Avoid wearing loose clothing with hanging sleeves when you cook and keep towels and pot holders away from flames.

Double-check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the house.

If your parents have trouble remembering to turn the stove off, install an a u t o m a t i c shut-off device. See www. h o m e sensers.com.

Heat Safely

Alternative heating devices like space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces are the second leading cause of fire deaths among seniors. Another concern is that heating devices fueled by gas, oil, kerosene or wood can also produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. If your parents use home heating devices, here are some safety recommendations:

Space heaters: Space heaters need space, so keep anything that can burn at least three feet away and always turn them off when you leave the house or go to sleep. Also, if you're buying a new space heater, look for one with a safety feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.

Fireplace: If the fireplace burns wood, be sure they have a glass or metal screen front to catch the flying sparks and rolling logs and have the fireplace and chimney flue inspected annually, and cleaned if needed.

Kerosene heaters: The use of kerosene heaters is illegal in some communities. Check with the local fire department before you buy one. Also, never use gasoline or any other substitute fuel and when you refuel do it outside and only after the heater has cooled.

Safety and Prevention

Around 75 percent of seniors who die in fires each year don't have working smoke alarms in their homes, so make a point to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your parent's house and test them monthly. Here are some additional tips to consider:

Fire extinguisher: Get them an ABC multipurpose home fire extinguisher and be sure they know how to use it.

Escape plan: In the event of a fire your parents should know two exit options for each room.

Candles: Home fires caused by candles have doubled in the last decade. Never leave burning candles unattended.

Electrical safety: Make sure that electrical outlets are not overloaded, extension cords are not strung under rugs and frayed or worn extension cords are thrown away.

Savvy Tip: The Hartford Group offers a booklet (Shopping Guide to Fire-Safe Products) that lists dozens of great products, including what they cost and where you can buy them. To get a copy visit www.thehartford.com/firesense or write to: The Hartford, Fire Sense, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" books.