The Danville Fire Department will present a program on Thursday, Sept. 12, to provide seniors with practical tips for preventing fires and falls and staying safe in their homes.
Also, fire officials will arrange for seniors in attendance to receive free smoke alarms with free installation if they do not currently have them in their homes.
The program will be presented at 11 a.m. at the Ballou Recreation Center, 760 West Main St. Reservations are not required, but seniors are encouraged to reserve a seat by calling the center at 434-799-5216.
“Older adults face elevated risks for fire and fall hazards,” Fire Marshal Shelby Irving said Tuesday. “Even a ‘minor’ burn or fall can be life-threatening, which is why we want seniors to be aware of the most common causes of fires and falls and to teach them strategies for avoiding them.”
Irving said the message takes on added importance as the fall and winter months approach and citizens begin using space heaters to offset the cooler temperatures.
The disaster preparedness presentation is part of an ongoing series of programs sponsored by the Danville-Pittsylvania County Triad chapter. The chapter seeks to reduce the fear of crime and victimization among seniors by connecting them with law enforcement agencies and community organizations with resources for older adults. Programs cover a range of topics from credit card fraud to violent crimes. The local chapter is a collaboration between the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, Southern Area Agency on Aging, Danville Parks and Recreation, Danville Police Department, Danville Sheriff’s Office, and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office.
