Eastern Agency on Aging plans fire safety course designed for seniors

There is nothing quite like the crackle and glow of a fire in the fireplace. Or how about the soft flicker of candlelight at a carefully set table? And then there are bonfires in the country. Let’s face it: Fire has been mesmerizing human beings since its discovery by cavemen.

But as beautiful as fire can be, its use must be stringently controlled or disaster can happen when you least expect it.

October is National Fire Safety Month. Just because it’s now the end of October, it does not mean fire safety should disappear from our thoughts.

Eastern Agency on Aging will hold “Fire Safety for Seniors” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Old Town-Riverside Grange Hall, 1266 North Main St., Brewer. Call EAA to register, and of course refreshments will be served.

The class is a chance to learn the best ways keep your home and family safe. Here are some fire safety tips:

. Properly install, maintain and test smoke detectors on each floor of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in each bedroom.

. Develop and then practice your fire escape plan. Everyone should know exactly what to do if an escape from your home is warranted – especially grandchildren who may be visiting.

. Have your furnace inspected and installed and then test your carbon monoxide detector. Also, before you light the first fire of the season, have the chimney and or smokestack cleaned and inspected.

. If you have a space heater, make sure that it is UL-listed with an illuminated pilot light and has both variable temperature controls and tip-over shutdown. Also, allow a minimum three feet of clear space around the heater, and be sure to keep it maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

. Never leave a fire unattended. Any fire. And while this may sound like common sense, keep candles away from curtains. A house fire in southern Maine was recently thought to be candle-related.

With the holidays drawing near, we’ll be doing extra cooking and maybe decorating with lights and wreaths. Come to the session and help make the winter season safe.

Now that you are preparing yourself for fire safety, let’s talk about your health. It’s hard to believe, but flu season is upon us.

Staying healthy can be quite a job. It’s not easy constantly being on the lookout for people who are coughing or sneezing, and then trying to avoid them.

Well, Bangor Area Visiting Nurses is like a shot in the arm when it comes to health care. Literally.

“Getting a flu vaccination is not a 100-percent guarantee that you won’t contract the flu,” said Rhonda Ralph, director of clinical services at BAVN. “However, if you do and you’ve had the shot, your symptoms will be reduced. Frequent hand washing is also very important, and don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth. But really, the best protection against the flu is getting a flu shot.”

BAVN will hold flu clinics at Miller Drug, 210 State St., Bangor, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following days:

. Mondays, through Nov. 28.

. Tuesdays, Nov. 1, 15, 22, and 29.

. Thursdays, Nov. 3, 10, 17 and Dec. 1.

. Saturdays, through Dec. 3.

In addition, BAVN will hold clinics at Miller Drug 5-8 p.m.:

. Fridays, Nov. 4 to Dec. 2.

Medicare beneficiaries should bring their card, as Part B will cover the price of the shot. For all others, the cost is $30.

For more information on these or other clinics, call BAVN at 973-6550 or log on to www.bavn.org.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, e-mail info@eaaa.org or log on www.eaaa.org.