Hudson Fire Department (HFD) recently received a $46,300 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant for the continuation of its Fire Safe Seniors Program. The grant, along with a $2,300 contribution from Hudson Fire Department, will be able to fund 150 additional secure key boxes and 250 carbon monoxide detectors for seniors 65 and older.
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, seniors face twice the risk of injury or fatal harm during a fire than the general population. To help minimize the risk to seniors living independently in their own homes, HFD implemented the Fire Safe Seniors program funded by a Fire Prevention & Safety Grant in January 2019. More than 220 households signed up for the program. Approximately 170 homes were served during the first phase of the program with the installation of 761 smoke detectors, 100 secure key boxes, and 55 bed shaker/strobe devices.
During the initial phase of the Fire Safe Seniors Program, HFD found the need for carbon monoxide detectors in seniors’ homes due to the lack of/outdated detectors. Additionally, there are currently 70 residences on a waiting list for secure key boxes. With this second round of funding, HFD will continue to work to improve the health and safety of seniors 65 and older by reducing their risk of fire and carbon monoxide related injury and death.
HFD will contact those on the waiting list to schedule installation of the key boxes, then all participants from the initial phase of the program will be contacted regarding carbon monoxide detectors. HFD also continues to accept requests to be added to the program.
Seniors can call the Hudson Fire Department at 330-342-1860 to sign up for the program or can sign up online at www.hudson.oh.us/FireSafeSeniors. Participants will receive reflective address numbers, smoke detectors, secure key boxes, and carbon monoxide detectors while supplies last.