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8 Best Stove Locks for Dementia Patients
Written by Miranda Stambler
about the author
12 minute readLast updated May 23, 2022
Many caregivers for loved ones with dementia may not realize the sheer number of safety hazards in their home. One of the most dangerous areas is the kitchen. Oftentimes, seniors with dementia experience confusion, which makes safety precautions important to prevent injury or property damage. One of these safety measures is stove locks for dementia patients.
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A majority of home fires start with cooking or in the kitchen, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). After a person turns 65, the risk of being killed or injured by fires increases every 10 years, starting from twice as likely at age 65 to four times as likely at age 85.
What are stove locks and how do they help seniors with dementia?
A flame can become a large fire within 30 seconds, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Stove locks help prevent fires and burn injuries. With a stove lock in place, seniors with dementia can experience a safer cooking environment, while still having a sense of independence. A variety of options are available, but each product has something different to offer. Automatic shut-off stove locks turn off the stove and the oven. In contrast, a knob lock prevents seniors from turning on the stove accidentally. Caregivers should consider their loved one’s stage of dementia and whether it’s safe for them to continue cooking by themselves. Caregivers may want to install the stove lock for their loved one, as some installations are more complicated than others. While looking for a stove lock, keep in mind the type of stove your loved one uses, the price, and its accessibility.
Stove locks with automatic shut-off or reminders
Maybe your parent still lives on their own, or maybe you’re out of the house most of the day. It can be difficult to monitor their usage in both circumstances. That’s where smart, automatic, or reminder-based stove locks come in handy. They can turn a burner off automatically after a set amount of time. Or, depending on the product, they can provide reminders that the stovetop is on. Either way, they can provide peace of mind when you’re not immediately available to help your loved one with the stove. FireAvert is synced with your loved one’s current smoke detector. Once the smoke alarm goes off, the plug-in automatically turns off the stove. The device is easy to install, but you may want to help sync the smoke alarm with the plug-in. FireAvert offers the same product specifically for gas stoves. Compatible stove and oven types: Pros: Cons: In addition, this device has a lock that caregivers can place for specific times. For example, if the caregiver does not want their loved one cooking in the middle of the night, they can schedule a night lock. Audio and visual alerts are set off before the stove is shut off, in case you need to continue cooking. This device has an emergency button for seniors to push to notify the caregiver of a problem. A paid subscription is required to get text and/or email alerts from iGuardStove. Through your account, you can view an activity log to see how often the stove is being used. Although this product is for electric stoves, a similar product is available for gas stoves. Compatible stove and oven types: Pros: Cons:
Top Pick: FireAvert Electric Stove Automatic Shut-Off
Seniors with dementia may forget to turn off the stovetop. The FireAvert device helps stop a fire before it starts.- Electric
- Gas
- Affordable: Under $200
- Easy to install
- Options for three- or four-prong plugs
- Must reset breaker whenever FireAvert automatically shuts off the stove
- Could have a bulky fit
Most Features: iGuardStove Automatic Stove Shut-Off Device
Seniors with dementia may start to wander and forget they left the stove on. This can be potentially very dangerous. This smart device is a motion sensor that automatically turns the stove off after 15 minutes of no activity.- Electric with a four-prong plug
- Gas with a four-prong plug
- Peace of mind
- 24/7 Monitoring
- Caregiver lock
- Expensive: Over $400
- Subscription required for notifications
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Best Smart Option: Wallflower Smart Electric Monitor
This smart plug-in gives you a smart oven without having to buy a new appliance. Wallflower Smart Electric Monitor connects to Wi-Fi so updates on the stove’s status can be sent to the free mobile app.- Electric with a three- or four-prong plug
- Affordable: Under $200
- Peace of mind
- Mobile app notifications without fee
- 24/7 monitoring
- Bulky
- Slight delay with notifications
- No remote stove turn on or turn off feature
Best Low-Cost Option: BurnerAlert
This battery-operated gadget allows seniors to maintain their independence by providing auditory and visual reminders that their stove is on. When the stove is turned on, BurnerAlert emits three consecutive high-pitch beeps. Then a flashing red light occurs for 30 seconds after the beeping. The device is preprogrammed in varied time intervals to beep and blink every three, nine, 15, and 30 minutes. Every seven-and-a-half minutes, the red light blinks for 30 seconds as an additional reminder. BurnerAlert will recycle the time intervals after reaching 30 minutes until the burner is turned off.- Electric
- Gas
- Inexpensive: Under $100
- Easy to install
- Verbal and visual reminders
- Will not fit stove knobs with rims
- Does not fit stove knobs with a depressed area
Stove locks to prevent accidents
Contact with a stove or oven was the leading cause of non-fire cooking burns from 2015 to 2019, according to the NFPA. With seniors at risk of falling, there is a possibility of bumping or falling into the stove, which can accidentally turn on the stovetop. Unintentional injury was the seventh leading cause of death for seniors between the ages 65 to 74 in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In that statistical analysis of unintentional injuries, burns/fires ranked sixth out of the 19 causes of deaths. To help prevent the risk of accidental burns, stove locks that prevent turning the stove on by accident are a good option. If you want to prevent your loved one from cooking alone, a latch on either side helps prevent removing the product. If a dementia patient learns how to unlock the latch or adjust the screws, they could start cooking. The Knob Stopper comes in multiple options. One has screws that require an Allen wrench. This can help prevent a senior from adjusting any safety brackets. Compatible stove and oven types: Pros: Cons: Compatible stoves and oven types:
Top Pick: Knob Stopper
The Knob Stopper prevents knobs from turning unless the device is removed. Magnets hold the device on the stove, while screws help adjust the device to stop knobs from turning. While this is a good option for those who may bump into or fall near the stove, it doesn’t fix leaving the stove on.- Electric
- Gas
- Inexpensive: Under $100
- Easy to install/remove
- People with limited mobility may struggle to make adjustments.
- Seniors with dementia may be able to overcome the safety features of this product by removing it.
Best Low-Cost Option: Safety 1st Stove Knob Covers
These inexpensive devices help prevent turning the stove on accidentally from either falling or bumping into the stove. The plastic heat-resistant covers are made to prevent accidental power to the stovetop. Once the device is installed, simply open the cap and turn on the stovetop. You then close the cap when you’re done. This may be difficult to open for seniors with limited mobility.- Electric
- Gas
- Low-cost: Under $20
- Easy to install
- Hard to remove for seniors with mobility issues
- Difficult to fit to some models
Best All-Around: Vadiff Silicone Stove Knob Safety Locks
This small assistive device prevents accidentally turning on the stovetop. To turn on the stove, the lock needs to be pulled away from the knob. The silicone piece will face a different direction when the stove is turned on to remind the senior to turn off the appliance.- Electric
- Gas
- Low-cost: Under $20
- Compatibility with some common stove types
- Visually helps adults remember that the stove is on
- Must be push-to-turn knobs
- Must have knobs with a gap
Best for Limited Mobility: Stove Stoppaz
This heat-resistant device helps prevent seniors from accidentally turning on the stovetop. The device slides on and off for easy access to the stove. These can be used on push-to-turn knobs on gas or electric stoves.- Electric
- Gas
- Low-cost: Under $20
- Easy to install
- Easy to remove
- Difficult to turn the knobs
- Not necessarily user-friendly for all seniors
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Modify your kitchen for seniors with dementia
Stove locks help give seniors with dementia a sense of independence while also giving caregivers peace of mind. Safety is a priority in senior care, and these devices can help prevent serious injury or fire damage. While caregivers may believe the home is the safest place for their loved ones, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to consider other options. If your loved one’s dementia is progressing and safety is becoming more of a concern, you may want to think about memory care. Contact a Senior Care Advisor to learn more about other care options.
Related Articles
References
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2021, December 2). 10 leading causes of death, United States 2020, all races, both sexes.CDC.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2021, December 2). United States unintentional injuries ages 65-74, all races, both sexes. CDC.
National Fire Protection Association. (2021, October). Home structure fires.
National Fire Protection Association. (2020, July). Non-fire cooking burn injuries.
National Fire Protection Association. (2013). Remembering When program.
U.S. Fire Administration. (2020, August).Home fire safety. FEMA.
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