Free Detectors Put in Homes of Elderly

Free Detectors Put in Homes of Elderly

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CHIEF KENNETH G. BRIDGES

Tulare, Calif., Fire Department

Senior citizens are high risk fire victims.

This fact was established after the Tulare Fire Prevention Bureau collected base line data ranging from the most frequent types of fires to high risk behavior. Significant factors showed that persons 60 years of age and older were the most likely to be overcome in a fire.

Therefore, a decision was made to focus our fire education efforts on this age group. Our first objective was to establish a higher level of fire safety by installing smoke detectors in conjunction with a fire safety education campaign.

Our second objective was to obtain funds to operate the program without any cost to the participants.

The California Department of Aging responded that it might have funds available under the small competition grant awards Title III of the Older Americans Act. We submitted an application for a $17,000 grant to purchase 1000 smoke detectors to be installed in senior citizens’ homes during the fiscal year 1979-1980.

In April of 1979, the funding began with a check for $8500.

Our next objective was to obtain the names and addresses of those eligible to have free smoke detectors installed in their homes. The local media including radio, television, and newspapers, became actively involved. Radio and television ran public service spots and newspapers printed feature stories and requested interested persons to contact the fire department. Personal contacts were also made with senior citizen groups.

There was an overwhelming response to this program throughout the community.

Free smoke detectors

We are providing a free smoke detector installed by a trained engine company in the home of each senior citizen who applies for one. This provides an opportunity for the engine company to make a home safety inspection and to advise these senior citizens about specific hazards or problems they might have in their homes. This also gives us an opportunity to return to these homes from time to time to check the detectors, install new batteries if needed, and continue our home inspection and education program.

We are pleased with the accomplishments thus far, and have installed over 700 smoke detectors in eight months.

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