Did You Know Medfield Fire Dept Offers A Senior SAFE Program?

Did you know Medfield Fire offers a "Senior SAFE" program?

If no, please read on…

Medfield Fire Department Fire Prevention Captain, Bill DeKing shares information with Medfield senior citizens about this FREE Fire Safety program and how they can take advantage of it.

"Senior SAFE" is a Fire and Safety Massachusetts Grant program. After applying, if the town’s fire department is awarded grant money, it is used to educate seniors on fire safety and fire prevention as well as purchase materials such as smoke detectors, CO detectors, “File of Life” refrigerator magnets, weekly pill planner boxes, lock boxes which are used to support the needs of elderly residents in need. Medfield FD has applied and been awarded this annual grant in recent years.

“Senior SAFE” program is offered to seniors by the Medfield Fire Department and it is a 100% free and confidential.

Unfortunately, senior citizens have a high risk of dying in a fire, so prevention is key. Fire and burn risks for seniors include cooking, smoking, home oxygen use and electrical and heating dangers.

"Senior SAFE" also aims to improve safety in the homes of seniors.

In addition to providing necessary equipment, this program provides visits to the homes of senior citizens to aide them in determining any potential hazards in their homes. The MFD will provide a “Home Assessment”to determine the needs.

Any senior citizen that lives alone or has trouble with mobility should take advantage of this program.

The MFD will ensure that a senior’s home is adequately equipped with working smoke alarms and CO detectors (and install them too). They will identify any trip hazards (i.e. throw rugs or items on stairways) to recognize any potenial fall hazards and provide in-person fire safety tips to older adults, their family members and caregivers. A home assessment follow-up helps to determine if alarms are still working; to assess any changes in the older adults’ fire safety knowledge, attitudes and behaviors; and to see if any fires have occurred.

In December. 2021. The MFD held a First Aid Awareness session at The Center for Medfield senior citizens and in the near future, Captain DeKing and FF Meg McGann hope to speak with seniors to hold a "fall prevention class".

If you or a loved one would like to take advantage of this FREE service please call the Medfield Fire Station at 508-359-2323 and ask to speak with Fire Prevention Captain DeKing.