Swampscott Fire Dept. offers smoke detector batteries

SWAMPSCOTT – Senior citizens are more likely to die in a house fire than any other segment of the population, so the Swampscott Fire Department is reaching out to seniors in hopes of preventing a tragedy.Swampscott Fire Chief Michael Champion said Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have made a limited number of smoke detector batteries available to the department, which will be distributed to senior citizens through the Swampscott Senior Center.Champion pointed out seniors over the age of 75 are three times more likely to die in a house fire than the rest of the population and those over 85 years old are almost five times as likely to die in a home fire. He said one reason more seniors die in house fires is the elderly may not be able to react and move as quickly as younger people.He said that makes the early warning provided by a functioning smoke detector essential.”Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the most effective ways to save lives,” he said. “The Swampscott Fire Department wants to remind residents to change their smoke detector batteries on Nov. 2 when they set the clocks back.”Champion said he delivered the smoke detector batteries to the Swampscott Senior Center, 200 Essex St. and any senior needing a battery should contact the Council on Aging at 781-596-8866.The department is also in the process of installing Knox-Boxes for 60 senior citizens, who pre-ordered them through the fire department. Champion said the Knox-Box Rapid Entry System provides non-destructive emergency access to commercial and residential property. The high security boxes are mounted near a building entrance and each box has space to store keys, access cards and floor plans. He said each Knox-Box in town is keyed to a single Knox Master Key that is controlled by the fire department.Champion said the fire department is in the process of compiling a list of residents interested in purchasing a Knox-Box and if there is enough interest the department could submit another order for additional boxes. Anyone interested in purchasing a Knox-Box for their home should contact the Fire Prevention Office at 781-595-4050.