Raynham Fire Department to Provide Free Smoke Detectors and Fire Safety Tips to Seniors

RAYNHAM – Chief James T. Januse is pleased to announce that the Raynham Fire Department will once again make smoke detectors available to seniors at no cost.

Through its Senior SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) program, Raynham Firefighters are actively working to educate seniors in town in order to help them protect themselves and their homes from fire. Raynham Firefighters are available to conduct home inspections, test smoke alarms and install new ones free of charge for residents over the age of 65 thanks to the program, which is funded by a federal grant.

Members of the department will present essential fire safety techniques to senior groups at the Raynham Senior Center and Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, and they will also visit with residents at the Pine Hill Estates to ensure homes there have working smoke alarms.

The educational sessions and home inspections will continue now through the summer.

“Fire prevention and safety are core elements of our role in the community,” Chief Januse said. “I want to commend Lt. Jeffrey Kelleher for his commitment to this program and ensuring that we’re doing the very best that we can to protect our residents.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a fire by 50 percent and, on average, three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. In addition, individuals over the age of 59 are among the most likely to die in a fire, according to the NFPA.

Anyone with questions should call the Raynham Fire Department at 508-824-2713.

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