West Hartford FD Will Visit Homes For Free Elderly Safety Inspections

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Fire Department is reminding residents that free home safety visits are available year-round as a national fall-prevention campaign approaches.

National Falls and Fire Prevention Week will run from Sept. 21 through Sept. 25, with the department using the occasion to raise awareness of its Free Home Safety Visit program.

The nationwide fall-prevention campaign is spearheaded by the National Council on Aging and emphasizes that falls are not a normal part of aging and can often be prevented.

During West Hartford's free home visits, trained team members walk through a resident's home and offer fire-safety recommendations and personalized suggestions intended to reduce the risk of falls.

The department said its assessments are based on the National Fire Protection Association's Steps to Safety model.

Recommendations are optional and are intended to identify changes residents can consider to make their homes safer.

Although the department is highlighting the service during the Sept. 21-25 campaign, the free program is available to West Hartford residents throughout the year.

Residents interested in scheduling a home safety assessment can contact Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Wilcox at chris.wilcox@westhartfordct.gov or 860-561-8362.